What is the future of hybrid working in the art world?

About 40% of the workforce is already able to work from home, and half of all employees prefer a hybrid work arrangement for the future. But is the art sector included in the remote working trend?

Originally, the term hybrid artist was described as an artist that uses ideas from different disciplines to expand their practice and explore other creative roles. However, these days, the very same expression may be interpreted entirely differently – the hybrid artist could simply be the one to apply a hybrid model to the working routine. 

Wait, but what exactly does hybrid working mean, you may ask. Simply put, it’s a workplace model that has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. It mixes in-office and remote work to offer flexibility and support to employees. In the art sphere, it refers to art-related tasks and projects outside of a physical setting, using technology and online tools to create, communicate, and collaborate remotely.

Simona Litvinskaite, one of the co-founders of Petite Collectif, a Coventry-based multicultural female theatre company, discussed the increasing prevalence of remote working within the art sphere.

As Covid and remote working have affected most of the world, there are no sectors, including art, that have not been affected positively or negatively.

Simona states that the mix of on-site and off-site working could be compared to “two sides of the same coin,” as it introduced the theatre community to fresh possibilities and new issues.

What challenges does the art world face in the light of hybrid working?

As the art sector has begun to introduce hybrid working, there have been many concerns about team bonding and connecting to the audience. Are Zoom calls and Slack messages enough to build a connection with teammates? Will online communication change our everyday face-to-face human interactions? What impact could it have on art, culture and audiences? These are only multiple questions coming from a much more extensive discussion.

Simona believes that “[...] theatre is all about connection” with team and audience, and it’s challenging to create it virtually. Actors usually perform better when having a close relationship with partners on the stage, and it’s easier to form the connection in real life; when it comes to theatre lovers, a co-founder of Petite Collectif adds that “[...] we don’t have technology yet to make it fully immersive for an audience member to stay in their own room and be fully engaged”.

Other than team bonding and engagement issues, the artist also greatly emphasizes possible technical matters related to remote working. For example, when rehearsing or performing theatre performances, Simona has dealt with latency, glitches, and even internet problems: “We were using the best technology, but still – there’s nothing we can actually currently do about it.”  

What are other benefits that hybrid working has brang to the art sphere?

On the other hand, the challenges mentioned could be overcomed. Simona positively believes that “as technology progresses, that kind of immersive experience will progress as well.” In addition, people are constantly adapting to technology changes: according to a Quixy report in 2023, 58% of the employees working from home states have started using workplace collaboration tools more than they were a year ago. Algirdas Barcys, a pottery enthusiast, adds that “[...] nothing is one-sided; yes, technology can be an issue for some of the art forms, but for pottery, I utilised remote working for meeting with my clients and selling my products online.” 

Art becoming more accessible and reaching new audiences was also noticed by Simona. The mix of on-site and off-site performances “provided more chances for people from any kind of class who assume that theatre is only a high-class thing to open up and view performances.” The same can be seen with other art forms; for instance, as real estate has put a lot of effort into 3D scanning and mapping tools that have enabled virtual viewings of houses, these tools started to be also used for artwork, including physical pieces, such as sculptures. 

And that’s not all. Art stepping into an online world also provides artists more flexibility, the opportunity to express themselves in new art forms, and an expanded talent pool, granting access to a global workforce. Additionally, it may increase artists’ productivity and allow an improved work-life balance; “it cuts the costs for people to travel, and it is also good for the environment as well.”

Simona predicts that in the future, “hybrid working will be used not only for the performances, but also for the casting processes and devising processes”; Algirdas states that “it may lead to a shift towards more virtual collaborations, exhibitions, and sales, which will expand opportunities for artists across the globe.” The future can also bring increased incorporation of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, leading to innovative ways of expression, engagement and showcasing art. Co-working spaces may gain traction, providing a blend of remote and in-person work environments fostering creativity, collaboration, and community among artists.

So, how to adapt to the changes as an artist?

To answer this question, watch the video here:

It seems like the artists and creative professionals look at the future of hybrid working in a positive light. It may take time to solve the primary issues; however, with all the challenges, awarding benefits seem to come. What’s your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!