Dedicated teamwork

In 2010 BrazenBunch took on the task of producing the UpRise anti-racism festival, after its predecessor Rise – London’s largest free annual music festival – was cancelled in 2009. The initial obstacle to overcome was that of funding: Rise had established firm financial support from trade unions and the Mayor of London over its 12-year history which was no longer available to us. Taking on a festival with a £500,000 price tag would be a daunting prospect for many but by tapping into the popularity and reputation of Rise, and using its industry contacts, we were able to pull together a dedicated team of individuals and organisations who believed in the cause. It was an important caveat that the festival remained free and fully inclusive, and a platform for emerging and established artistes who care about social action.

After re-establishing financial support for core costs from the trade unions, UpRise put a call-out to professional contacts, friends and the community to help stage the reclaimed festival. 75% of the production was supported in the form of donations and volunteers, including technical teams, staging, lighting, bars, traders, security, health and safety, performers and stewards.

The core steering group for UpRise comprised of a mix of creatively minded experienced professionals and passionate amateurs who were able to put a call-out to their extended networks for additional volunteers, many of whom worked regularly on the festival circuits and in the arts. One person was responsible for each specialised area such as technical, programming, security, marketing and so on. Managing a mix of people in full-time, part-time and freelance employment meant that there needed to be an element of flexibility time-wise when it came to meetings and communications. Monthly production meetings were held in a relaxed and informal manner but with a strict agenda, to ensure all areas of the festival arrangements were discussed and potential issues identified.

Time was also allocated for a social catch-up after the meetings where the team, many of whom had met each other for the first time, were able to share and exchange information and resources beyond the festival. We found that all members of the team were interested in the concept of creative exchange and there was real value in sharing resources with no financial transaction involved. Creating a fully inclusive and socially active free festival meant that those involved were happy to contribute what they felt was their community responsibility in the form of their respective skills. That has also encouraged trust, respect and commitment from the wider volunteer team when they are aware that those involved in the core and wider team have offered their times and skills voluntarily, pro bono or at a reduced rate.

It was important that the long-term structure was looked at in order to solidify a sustainable festival that had the ability to evolve and develop. We also recruited socially minded organisations, such as Firefly Solar, as partners. Most individuals and organisations have offered their services on an ongoing basis, seeing it as a unique opportunity to be part of the birth and growth of a festival which is the sum of all its parts.

In three years we have created a very strong identity while maintaining independence from public funding. A committed group of volunteers has created a unique way of working under the form of a self-titled ‘linearchy’ to ensure we are responsive to the environment and tackle everyday issues, using the arts to express both problems and solutions. The 2011 UpRise Festival was held in 14 unusual and unconventional spaces across the streets of Hackney under the title ‘Community Is Home’ in a direct response to the riots, to show how the community works together year-round. UpRise 2012 also reflected a poignant topic under the heading ‘A Generation Inspires’, focusing on contributions by young people while addressing the misrepresentation of youth in the media.

We aim to push the boundaries of the arts and blur the line between the audience and the performer to enhance the understanding of human commonalities and difference while boldly redefining what British culture is. In order to ensure sustainability while expanding nationally and internationally, the festival is building in a strong crowd-funding strategy, as the audience is very much the essence of what UpRise is.

Paul Richards is Director of BrazenBunch and UpRise.

www.uprise.org.uk