skip to main content

PiPA Launch Survey on Work-Life Balance For Those Working in the Arts

The Balancing Act Survey is aimed at all workers in music, opera, dance and theatre. It is open to all genders, parents and carers, as well as those who do not currently have caring responsibilities.

Published: 14 July 2023 | 1:00 PM
Three rocks balanced on top of each other on the beach, concept of balance and harmony.
Help PiPA advocate for better work-life balance for all. Image credit: Shutterstock.

PiPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts) are conducting research in collaboration with Birbeck University of London. They are interested in hearing from all workers in music, opera, dance and theatre, and both those with caring responsibilities and those currently without.

The industry has changed beyond recognition since PiPA’s previous Balancing Act survey in 2018, through Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. Regardless of whether people have caring responsibilities or not, life can’t be an afterthought and the data from this survey will help PiPA talk to government, employers, industry bodies and advocate for better resources and work-life balance for all.

Take the survey.

About the survey

PiPA will ask a list of questions about you and your work, such as where and how you typically work or perform, who supports you and how you feel about your work; the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. The survey will analyse broad data trends, so your individual data will not be identifiable from any analysis.

The data will be presented at a PiPA conference, summarised in a practitioner report and also provide the basis for an academic publication so that they can help put focus on the concerns and needs of those working in the arts.

Find out more and complete the survey.

Get advice and support on mental health and physical wellbeing

Discover a wealth of advice and resources to help musicians to look after their mental health and physical wellbeing.

MU member services

Explore wellbeing for musicians

Get advice and support on mental health and physical wellbeing

Continue reading

Close up of legs running on a treadmill.

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Following the success of our discounted hotel room benefit, we’re now offering MU members exclusive access to reduced-rate gym memberships with The Gym Group — one of the UK’s leading fitness providers.

Published: 01 August 2025

Read more about Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits
Naomi Pohl on stage addressing Delegates at Conference.

“Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025

Last week marked the Union’s 41st biennial Delegate Conference, and the largest attended in our history. We’ll be sharing videos and highlights soon, but in the meantime, you can catch up on MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl’s opening speech, outlining the Union’s work over the past two years.

Published: 31 July 2025

Read more about “Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025
Two pieces of paper, one orange and one green, cut into the shape of a head. They are facing each other, one with a question mark and squiggles, and the other with a smooth spiral and exclamation mark

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Shaping Freelance Futures in Wales

Discover how two MU members used CULT Cymru’s Mentoring 4 Creatives scheme to explore new directions and develop their creative careers. The programme supports freelancers and casual workers across Wales' creative industries – and applications for this year’s cohort are open until September.

Published: 28 July 2025

Read more about Mentoring 4 Creatives: Shaping Freelance Futures in Wales