Safety Talk: Coping with Change in Arts & Entertainment
Change shapes our daily work environment, from project-based contracts to evolving creative visions. This Safety Talk includes targeted resources for both employees and managers to help navigate these changes effectively.
The arts and entertainment industry faces unique challenges when it comes to change. Your team might encounter:
- Project-based work with defined start and end dates
- Cast, crew, or creative team changes during production
- Last-minute creative direction shifts or script revisions
- Technical challenges requiring rapid problem-solving
- Venue, location, or scheduling changes
- Opening nights, closing performances, and wrap dates
- Seasonal programming transitions (theatre seasons, festival cycles, touring schedules)
- Power dynamics and hierarchy shifts as projects change
- Emotional intensity around creative work and performance
- Uncertainty of future work
While these changes affect everyone differently, the “5 As” approach to change management can help build resilience across your creative team, developing practical strategies for navigating change while maintaining wellbeing and productivity.
The video below will explore this topic in more detail and will outline some strategies that can be used to help cope with change in the dynamic arts and entertainment industry.
Read our tips for Supporting Creative Teams Through Change and Navigating Changes in Arts & Entertainment, also available as printable handouts, and watch the video below to help you prepare for the conversation. You can watch the video together to help start the discussion.
More Resources:
- 5 A’s of Change Poster
- Coping With Change e-learning module | Workplace Strategies for Mental Health