Arts Council England Releases Freelancers' Handbook & Resources Directory

Introducing the first co-created Freelancers' Handbook and Resources Directory by Arts Council England, offering practical support to the 30% of the workforce operating as freelancers across the cultural sector and the organisations that work with them.

Created in response to data and insight from the 2024 Cultural Freelancers Study which surveyed more than 5,000 cultural freelancers, the Freelancers' Handbook is a practical guide covering essential topics including contracts, fees, funding, tax, business development and professional wellbeing.

About the Freelancers’ Handbook and Resources Directory

Written and co-edited by independent cultural consultant, Rachel Mapplebeck, the Freelancers’ Handbook includes insights and practical guidance for the estimated 30% of the cultural workforce operating as freelancers. It includes contributions by freelancers including: Leila d’Aronville, founder of North East Cultural Freelancers and newly appointed Freelance Champion for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, producer and consultant Caitriona Shoobridge, and scholar, researcher, writer, and teacher Dr. Furaha Asani.  

The handbook is a cornerstone for freelancers and includes chapters on: 

• ‘How to grow your network and win business’ by Rachel Mapplebeck; 
• ‘Peer Support Networks: Why they matter and how to find yours’ by Leila d’Aronville; 
• ‘Fair Play: Overcoming barriers in the cultural sector’ by Caitriona Shoobridge, and; 
• ‘Promoting mental health and equality for freelancers’ by Dr. Furaha Asani. 

Both the Freelancers’ Handbook and the accompanying live Resources Directory of opportunities, funded programmes, and skills development training are evolving, collaborative resources to be refreshed periodically with feedback from the freelance community.  

Explore the Online Resources Directory

Have your say - Inform the next edition

Read the Freelancers' Handbook 2026 (1st Edition)