In 2021, Project Director Robin Lacambra led an intersectional team of research assistants and a steering committee through the creation and development of a set of care-centred guiding principles to govern Industry and Hamilton Fringe spaces. These principles aimed to ensure the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of everyone in Industry and Hamilton Fringe spaces. This process involved discussion, research and development, consultation, and testing. It has resulted in a final Phase 1 research report and the Internal Culture Guide, a guide to life in our spaces. These are standards, expectations of behaviour, and systems of accountability built to protect artists and patrons alike and to ensure artistic environments that centre belonging.

Putting Phase 1 research and principles into practice, we tested Safer Spaces training and learnings at the Hamilton Fringe Festival in 2022. Robin led a series of lunch and learn workshops with the Hamilton Fringe Festival staff focused on self-awareness, social awareness, and how we can create brave spaces. She also facilitated Safer Spaces training with Hamilton Fringe volunteers and, later in the fall, led a Safer Spaces public workshop for Industry’s WorkWeek. Phase 2 posed more significant questions and concerns about how Safer Space policy and practices work when put to the test.

The phase we’re in now! Phase 3 will include hiring and training new Care Coordinators, offering expanded training to local performance companies, and honing new Safer Spaces community resources. We are now engaging with a new steering committee, who will be consultants for the training content and help guide us throughout this year. This phase will culminate in a new Safer Spaces training course accessible to anyone interested in learning about care coordination.