The report, published in March 2026, examines how cultural professionals in the United Kingdom define burnout, the factors contributing to it, and its effects on individuals and organisations. It identifies a range of challenges affecting the sector, including crisis management, bullying, long working hours and pressure to deliver beyond available capacity.
- Access the report A Silenced Epidemic: Burnout in the Cultural Sector; and How We Can Create a Better Future
Recent developments have further intensified these pressures, including the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, funding constraints and the climate emergency.
Alongside its analysis, the report puts forward recommendations for cultural organisations seeking to prevent and reduce burnout. It also includes recommendations for funders, policymakers and sector support organisations, highlighting the shared responsibility for creating healthier and more sustainable working environments.
