We’re excited to share the National Conference 2025 video with you  a chance to relive the day or get a glimpse of what it was like!

For a more detailed overview, read our Director Sho’s summary which captures key discussions, insights, and takeaways from the day. The summary includes access to presentation slides and event materials.

You can also explore the Digital Brochure, which was published ahead of the event, showcasing touring shows from our members and celebrating the talent within the Outdoor Arts community.

What our members said…

Justice in Motion Write-up

Justice in Motion has published a write-up with their key takeaways from the conference. Artistic Director Anja Meinhardt was a breakout session speaker, where she discussed diversifying income streams and engaging communities through socially relevant outdoor arts.

At Justice in Motion, we believe in the power of outdoor arts to break down barriers, reach communities, and create meaningful change. Attending the Outdoor Arts UK National Conference ‘Equity in Action’ in February of this year reinforced just how vital this work is.
Read the Write-up

Walk The Plank Newsletter

Walk The Plank wrote a section in their February newsletter about the conference:

Creative Producer, Liz Pugh and Senior Marketing and Communications Officer, Tanica Powell recently attended this conference: a day full of inspiring talks, conversations and debate with makers of outdoor arts, programmers, producers and bookers. This year’s conference spotlighted equity and how it has been put into action in the conference’s host city, Stoke-on-Trent; and saw a particularly powerful speech and call to action from Susan Clarke who leads Stoke Creates.

Liz said this of the day: “I was reminded that the work we all do to build, and rebuild, communities is vital. We who work in the outdoor arts sector

– work in public space, with stubborn optimism at the heart of our practice

– place artists alongside residents and young people and elders as architects of Joy

– offer hope through making art

– organise amazing free festivals in our towns and cities

– make gorgeous events that celebrate place and bring humans together.

Our work – as the artists and companies and producers and organisers – brings art into our streets and parks and civic spaces, for everyone to enjoy for free. We make the culture and talents of Britain’s wonderfully diverse communities visible in so many joyful ways.

I look forward, with some of that stubborn optimism I mentioned, to increased investment in the outdoor arts sector by private and public sector partners in the next ten years – we are good for the nation’s health, we offer training for the imagination, and we create ties that bind people together in a world that wants to breed hatred and division.”

Fool’s Paradise Newsletter

Fool’s Paradise wrote a section in their spring newsletter about the conference:

We attended the Outdoor Arts UK National Conference, Equity in Action: The Power of Diverse Narratives on 6th February in Stoke-on-Trent. The day began with a speech by local artist, Dave Lovatt, followed by Susan Clarke reading the letter she had sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP. There were inspiring presentations from local organisations; B.Arts, Amity Hub, Frontline Dance and Appetite Stoke, sharing how they are making a difference in their local communities.

The afternoon consisted of breakout sessions lead by experts, culminating in small groups to discuss how we can improve things in our roles within outdoor arts.

We have come away with a wider understanding of the issues organisations and performers are facing in terms of inclusivity and accessibility. It was a hugely valuable learning experience and we are already looking forward to the next one.