For artists, audiences and communities:
Our mission is to fight for equity in every artistic arena. The boardroom, the audience, backstage and centre stage should all be truly representative, and Diverse City is here to make that happen.
Diverse City is a performing arts charity where social justice and culture meet. For the arts to fairly reflect and shape society, we believe all voices must be heard and all audiences welcomed.
We do this by making and touring new shows, nurturing, new creative voices and engaging communities in artistic activism. Our circus performance company Extraordinary Bodies (led in partnership with Cirque Bijou) exemplifies truly representative performance.
Whether it’s ensuring that all work is audio-described and BSL interpreted, or creating inclusive rehearsals and auditions, we think creatively to make sure art can be made by any body, for every body.
Supporting Artists
We back artists to develop their voice, their craft and their confidence.
That means creating time, space and support for people to explore ideas, take creative risks, and build sustainable careers — especially for those who haven’t always had equal access to opportunity.
We create environments where more people can take part, collaborate and lead.
This might be through residencies, workshops, performances or partnerships — but always with a focus on creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued and able to contribute as they are.
Access isn’t something we add on — it shapes the work from the beginning.
We design projects so more people can be part of them — influencing how work is made, who is involved, and how it is experienced. This leads to work that is more imaginative, more connected, and more open.
We bring powerful, inclusive stories to audiences across the UK and beyond.
Through performances, sharings and partnerships, we support work to reach people — creating experiences that connect, challenge and reflect a wider range of voices and lived experience.
“Diverse City’s work as an associate company of Bristol Old Vic has helped us to change and enrich the way we think about accessibility and integration on stage and off. We’re excited for the future of our partnership together.”
– Tom Morris, Chief Executive, Bristol Old Vic.
What we do to deliver on our mission to make the performing arts more accessible:
It’s our goal to provide excellent, innovative and sustained professional development for the creatives we work with – at all stages of their journey.
We don’t just bring a show. We bring multiple strands of our work together in one place. When access is at the heart of everything, everyone benefits — inclusive practice emboldens creativity and enables exceptional work to take centre stage.
Our residencies bring artists of all backgrounds together to meet, collaborate, build skills and explore inclusive creative practice together — all while creating space for artists to develop new ideas through research and development.
We believe that the best way to achieve our goal of true representation onstage, off-stage and in the audience, is through partnerships and co-productions. Working like this enables us to embed change and exchange knowledge in new spaces, while creating something unforgetable together.
Right now, too many people are excluded from the performing arts — not because they don’t belong, but because the system hasn’t been built for everyone.
When barriers come down, people thrive — and the work becomes more honest, more connected, and more reflective of the world we live in.
We are looking to compile a database of Creative Support Workers, as we regularly work with individuals who require support of various kinds. Whether you are available for odd hours here and there, or are looking for more regular commitment, we would love to hear from you.
This work happens because people choose to back it.
In 2026, Diverse City is turning 20 years old. Instead of celebrating alone, we’re inviting people to be part of what comes next. Excited to find out more?
Claire Hodgson
Joint Artistic Director
Jamie Beddard
Joint Artistic Director
Eilís Davis
Artistic Director for Talent Development
Alice Chutter
Senior Producer
Liz Craig
Finance Director
Eddy Farrar
Accounts Assistant
Sophia Knox-Miller
Producer
Tasha Brade
Producing Assistant
Jess Edney
Access Producer
Louise Holloway
Executive Assistant
Caro Boss
Communications Manager
Saskia Collyns
Content Creator
Becky Hughes
Head of Operations
Georgie White Winter
Head of Development
Jesse Black Mooney
Company Manager
Diverse City are currently seeking candidates who are committed to our core mission: achieving equity in the arts.
Interested in exploring oppertunities to support Diverse City as a Trustee or Chair of the Board?
We’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re an artist, organisation, or a member of the public with a collaboration in mind, we want to hear from you.
