What Creative & Cultural Skills represents

We represent venues, employers, small businesses and freelancers in the theatre sector (including classical, contemporary, street arts, carnival arts, circus and physical theatre), dance, and opera. This includes performers, promoters and those who provide backstage technical input and administration.

The Performing Arts Blueprint

The Performing Arts Blueprint, published in February 2010, is an analysis of the skills needs of the performing arts sector in the UK. It provides new research data on the skills needs and training uptake of the sector, and can be downloaded here .

Our work with the sector

• We have launched the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills , which is currently addressing the backstage and offstage skills needs of the performing arts sectors
• We have developed careers advice specifically for the performing arts sector on our website Creative Choices° 
• We offer craft employers the chance to take on an Apprentice in a wide range of areas through our Apprenticeship Training Service . These include new Creative Apprenticeship pathways in Live Events and Promotion, Technical Theatre, Costume & Wardrobe, Community Arts and Cultural Venue Operations at Levels 2 and 3
• Leadership development opportunities are on offer through the Cultural Leadership Programme , the Creative & Cultural Skills Scotland Leadership Programme and the Creative & Cultural Skills Northern Ireland Leadership Programme 
• We have developed National Occupational Standards  in the areas of technical theatre and live events
• We have worked to ensure there is relevant dance and drama content within the 14-19 Diploma in Creative & Media 
• We produce research  about the skills needs of the performing arts sector, including its size, its contribution to the economy, and demographic data
• We are developing a new strategy to reform qualifications  in the performing arts sector
• We participated in the review of Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council

Be part of our work

• Join us in raising awareness of performing arts skills issues
• Contribute to our review of performing arts qualifications 
• Employ an Apprentice as an entry-level employee in your organisation 
• For further information or to register your interest please contact engagement@ccskills.org.uk.

Getting into the performing arts sector

Creative Choices° is an online service offering resources and inspiration for careers in the creative and cultural industries.