Tactics for the Tightrope

Creative Resilience for Creative Communities

A new book by Mark Robinson

Hard copies available here: £10 + postage & packing.

FREE download available from here.

Part manifesto, part toolkit, Tactics for the Tightrope shows how creative resilience can be a process of resistance not co-option, and can help anyone connect, collaborate and multiply the voices of creative communities, to move from hurt to hope.

Life on the tightrope of the cultural sector can be a thrilling, perilous act. This book – published by Future Arts Centres – is for those that want to find their own ways to dream on the tightrope and to invite others to join them. But remember, the tightrope only looks like a straight line…

“In this generous book about agency and change, Mark Robinson offers tools and thinking to help those working in the arts and cultural sector understand and make the best use of the assets we have, to make the change that we need. A book to read right now, for sure, and one I can see myself dipping into again for many years to come.”

Moira Sinclair, Paul Hamlyn Foundation

“Philosophical, poetic and hugely practical: I ended up feeling some of the ideas in the book as well as understanding them as concepts. The Tools and Tactics are brilliant and very immediately usable.”

Rachel Adam, Museums Northumberland bait

Some other things people have said about the book since it was published:

  • ‘Brilliant book, speaks to long held beliefs, should be read by every arts worker, arts/cultural org.’ Mark O’Brien, Executive Director, Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
  • Francois Mattarasso included Tactics in a blog rounding up recent books, and concluded it was ‘an important read… invaluable guidance for anyone trying to meet the complicated, sometimes contradictory expectations of stakeholders while keeping faith with their own core purpose.’
  • ‘Inspiring as always, thank you! Definitely recommend the book to anyone who hasn’t read it yet.’ Mary Nagele, CEO Arts & Business Northern Ireland (after last month’s online event to discuss the book)
  • ‘A great read filled with practical ideas to help cultural leaders and organisations adapt and build resilience’ Failspace project
  • ‘An unusual combination of practical tools and views and suggestions about the sector and what we need to put straight (all of which I strongly endorse)’ Clare Antrobus, coach and consultant
  • ‘I’ve been lucky enough to read this already and can highly recommend it – it’s full of ideas and practical exercises that will make you think about leadership, the arts, audiences, accessibility, democracy and all sorts. Mark’s written a brilliant thing. Go, read it!’ Eleanor Turney, editor and writer.

Hard copies available here: £10 + postage & packing.

FREE download available from here.