Performing Arts: producers and directors, actors, choreographers, dancers, entertainers, opera, theatre, mime, street performance and all other aspects of creating, producing and staging performing arts
- Performing arts contribute £4.1bn to the UK economy
- 84,470 people currently work in the performing arts industry
- 19% of the workforce are freelance and 55% self-employed
- 95% of the workforce are white
- 88% of businesses employ less than five people
The skills gaps
There is a shortage of Education skills in artists/practitioners working in schools and community settings.
Technical skills: there is a shortage, in particular in relation to technical theatre and live events.
There is a need for Management skills. This is also contributing to lack of career progression to senior positions. Customer service is also considered a management gap.
There is a shortage of Marketing skills: in relation to fundraising, selling and developing new markets.
Working with the Performing Arts
Creative & Cultural Skills work with different advisory groups on different projects. This includes trade associations such as the Independent Theatre Council, Theatrical Management Association, Society of London Theatre and the Federation of Scottish Theatre. We also work with unions Equity and BECTU and organisations like the National Council for Drama Training and the Council for Dance Education and Training. To join our consultation list, or express an interest in our work, please contact info@ccskills.org.uk
We are also closely aligned with Skillscene, a network of technical theatre directors and producers, and the key technical theatre trade associations. Skillscene have advised us on the development of key projects, and are currently involved in our National Skills Academy development work.
Getting into the performing arts
Sage Gateshead, Lyric Hammersmith, the Royal Opera House, EMI: these are just some of the employers who have been helping us to roadtest the Creative Apprenticeship, the first industry-designed apprenticeships for the Performing Arts. Creative Apprenticeship "pathways" will be available from September 2008 in Live Events and Promotion, Costume & Wardrobe, Technical Theatre, Community Arts and Education, and Cultural and Heritage Venue Operations. For more information please contact info@ccskills.org.uk
Creative Choices°
Creative Choices° is the first online service to provide the tools, knowledge and networks to support every individual and business to get in, and get on, in the creative industries and cultural sector.
Creative Blueprint
Our research underpins everything we do. You can't develop practical solutions without knowing where the gaps are. The Creative Blueprint identifies workforce skills needed today and tomorrow.
National Skills Academy (NSA)
The live entertainment industry predicts a shortage of 30,000 people in their technical workforce. The National Skills Academy for backstage and offstage skills will deliver world-class training for the world's greatest stages.
For further information on this sector visit:
Theatrical Management Association
Society of London Theatre
Skillscene
BECTU
Equity
Independent Theatre Council
Federation of Scottish Theatres
National Council for Drama Training
The Council for Dance Education and Training
Foundation for Community Dance
Stage
Management Association
Association of British Theatre Technicians