What Next? Rural – Artist’s Safety in Rural Touring
Thursday 15th January 2026
This meeting was in response to the recent and ongoing events which have raised some concerns around everyone’s safety, and within our network, the safety of our artists touring shows which might attract unwanted attention.
Art can be a brilliant way of tackling difficult subjects, gently offering alternative perspectives, challenging ideas through storytelling and entertainment. The majority of the time this is well received, however, increasing tensions across the country have meant that we want to give artists, programmers and venue promoters more tools to feel confident presenting this work.
Our three speakers were:
Dickie Felton is NRTF’s press and media manager. He promotes NRTF in the media and offers communications support to its members. He has 25 years experience in communications working for the likes of Keep Britain Tidy, National Museums Liverpool, National Football Museum and Full of Noises – an experimental music organisation and concert venue in Cumbria.
Bobak Champion (pictured above) graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance over 15 years ago (2004). Ever since, he’s had a busy, varied and successful career as a freelance dance Artist. Working in both Hip-Hop and contemporary arenas as a dance artist. Facilitating, performing and choreographing. His down to earth, fun, cool and charismatic nature forms instant connections with people of all ages.
Dickie and Bobak worked together to promote Bobak’s recent work ‘I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik” and shared some experience and learnings about taking this show on the road during a turbulent period in Britain in 2025.
Genevieve Say is the Artistic Director for Black Country Touring, and continues to practice as an independent choreographer, movement director and facilitator. She has experienced rural touring as a performer, theatre maker and now as an organisational leader. Genevieve talked about her experiences and BCT’s current approaches to supporting artists on the road.
About What Next?
What Next? is the only UK-wide free-to-access movement that brings together both freelancers, and small and large organisations, to debate and shape the future of the arts and culture. We work to democratise power and policy making in our sector.
What Next? works to change the conversations that the arts and culture sector, government, policy makers, funders and philanthropists have about the UK and its future. We disrupt traditional power narratives, where only those with money or privilege have access to the knowledge and levers that make change happen. We structure regular, open policy conversations, online and in-person, which are fully accessible, where freelancers are paid for their contributions, and which are underpinned by values of social change.
Resources
NRTF are working on some resources at the moment to support schemes, promoters and artists. This includes a civil unrest plan – a quick reference flowchart of what to do on the day if you think there might be an issue, and a crisis comms template.
These should be available in February, check back again for updates.
Further Links
To find out more about Bobak’s work, visit: bobakchampion.co.uk
To find out more about how Dickie can support your tour, visit: NRTF Press Agency
and for Black Country Touring, visit: bctouring.org.uk