Current problems we need to solve:

*A large amount of tax-funded subsidy goes to renting assets from the private sector i.e. lighting/sound/AV/stage equipment. These companies charge extortionate rates, are set up mainly for corporate events, and run a system of rapid stock turnover which funds a the global manufacturing model and resultant climate change.

*Lots of theatres, educational spaces and individuals pool resources which they seldom use. These are effectively carbon sinks and cost money to store/maintain.

*Nationally, technical theatre is re-inventing the wheel for bespoke effects which may only happen once for a particular company but happen multiple times a year nationally – i.e. rain effects, revolves, specialist playback

Suggestion:
Found a large, charitable, subsidised library of things for technical theatre equipment which can give well-prepped, safe, appropriate items to theatre companies for free or paid for directly by a funder.
Does this need to have a large infrastructure?
Who does it exist for?

Where is the stuff sourced from?

What stuff should it stock?

Key learning points from discussion:

*Props/set/costume don’t work in hire models like this and would work better as a database of who-has-what which could be centrally managed.

*Conversely stuff-with-a-plug-on or things which can be quantised are in more identifiable and frequent need and can be much more easily warehoused,
managed transported etc. – this is where initial infrastructure should be focussed.

*Larger organisations who do have access to a lot of technical stock, some of which unused are talking about what solutions to use to solve problems like this and are looking for infrastructure of this kind.

*A subscription or membership model is very popular

*The idea of a credit system for donating/lending equipment or credits as part of grant funding from funders is also very popular.

*It makes a lot of sense to team up with large public institutions who have space to begin this idea. They could benefit as well as Contribute.

*Could organistations donate equipment in return for a tax break? – Great financial incentive.

*How are potential users/customers identified – are there (or should there) be barriers e.g. not-for-profit, grant funded etc.

*It is time pressure that causes us all to default to non-ecological and non-ecological practices/purchasing decisions – can a model like this step in early in the production model to support shows better than current private sector provision?

*Is Intellectual Property rights or health and safety concerns about passed on sets/equipment a big barrier – more research to be done here with larger producing organisations.

*CURRENTLY CAPITAL GRANTS CANT BE USED TO BUY USED EQUIPMENT – why are funders pushing people to buy new? Is it because of H&S concerns – can a library of things absorb the dearth of used equipment in the UK?

*notably, many large organisations are focussing on being asset-light/financially-nimble e.g. BBC closing all props storage – where does this drive come from – it is advantageous to the private sector, highly disadvantageous to the public sector and anti-ecological.

*A national library of things, should be truly national with multiple sites nationally.

Action:
Ethan to message those involved with further detail from discussion
Ethan to meet with NT and Artscouncil regarding the model.

Referenced Other Projects within discussion:
Other libraries of things – local libraries in London and across UK
Froom L.O.T.
The Attic (now closed) run by Sara J Booth
NT resource management department