Promote performing arts as a viable careerOur Workforce Development Strategy aims to ensure that the appropriate skills and expertise are in place for theatre and the performing arts to thrive in the future.
Projects include:
Relevant consultation responses:
Improve the diversity of theatre and the performing arts
Our Workforce Strategy aims to improve the diversity of the theatre and performing arts workforce and address long-term culture change in the industry.
Diverse Casting Planning Kit
D/deaf and Disabled Access Training
The Business of Inclusion
Support for the PIPA campaign
Stage Sight
Safe and supportive working practices
UK Theatre and SOLT are coordinating industry-wide action to ensure that theatre and the performing arts is a safer, more supportive and inclusive working environment for all.
Encouraging Safer and More Supportive Working Practices Handbook
Dignity at Work training
Theatre Helpline
Support funding and income generation
When resources are precious, how can we create value without wasting time or money? The Business Resilience Conference offers senior leaders space to examine their business models, funding and finance. Sessions have covered new funding models, capital projects, why inclusion is business critical and digital transformation. You can submit ideas for next year’s conference programme here.
We continue to advocate for both national and local funding of theatre and the performing arts and are developing our research base to submit to the Comprehensive Spending Review. You can be part of this by providing a case study via this short survey.
Recent issues have included business rates, and our consultation response on Charity Tax Reliefs.
We worked with the Local Government Association to establish their first Theatre Champion. We have also been working with members to collect Local Authority Case Studies.
We have delivered the Hearts for the Arts Campaign for the National Campaign for the Arts
Sales Data Collection and Reporting
Support theatre and performing arts to exploit digital developments
From Live to Digital Research
Live to Digital - A Guide to Getting Started
Support the health of touring, producing and presenting ecology
Everyone can get involved in conversations to devise a contemporary, consistent and clear way to improve the long-term health of the touring, producing and presenting model. A new Producing, Presenting and Touring Handbook will help all parties use clear and consistent ways of working.
Presenting, Producing and Touring programme of work
Theatre and Touring Symposium
Ensure UK Theatre Membership is fit for purpose
Throughout February 2019, members can take our 2019 Member Survey to tell us how you think UK Theatre is doing, how we can improve and how we can support theatre and performing arts to stay resilient.
We have welcomed new Board Members to ensure the right range of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity to support delivery of our Business Plan.
Modernise the sector’s approach to Employment Relations
We have developed the strategic dialogue with the Trade Unions, continuing to work to modernise the national agreements and reposition our relationship with the unions to facilitate a clearer, more purposeful and commercially focused approach. We have modernised the collective agreements to improve clarity.
Our Employment Relations Team provided one to one advice on more than 300 issues raised by members in 2018.
New UK Theatre Equity Subsidised Agreement
Legal Service
We gave one to one legal advice on more than 230 issues raised by UK Theatre and SOLT members in 2018.
We have updated members on key legal issues including GDPR and Data Protection, PRS Tariff LP, Secondary Ticketing, and Immigration.
Buildings, technical and security
Security best practice guidance and briefings are available for members. This guidance is kept up to date following updates from UK Government and in response to emerging security risks including recent advice on dealing with acid attacks.
After two successful Off Stage conferences plans are now underway for 2019. The event will explore key topics affecting our members. Submit your ideas for this year's conference here.
We ran 6 IOSH training courses in 2018, with 6 more already booked for 2019. Open courses are held at Rose Street and Birmingham Hippodrome. In-house courses may also be held at member venues.
Our extended SAFERtheatre consultancy services to members launched in 2018. We have visited members across the country for a number of assignments including delivering bespoke training courses, writing new safety policies and conducting H&S audits for members.
We work with the National Counter Terrorism and Security Office (NaCTSO) and are firmly established members of their Crowded Places Information Exchange (CPIE) meeting. This meeting gives us access to UK police & security services and their full range of information and guidance.
We created two new theatre subgroups of CPIE, called TOSCA (Theatre Operators Security Communication Advisory group). TOSCA meetings are held in London every quarter and regionally every 6 months. We have over 50 participants attending both meeting representing close to 100 venue operators and producers throughout all corners of the UK.
Research and analysis to drive the resilience of the sector
Theatre Workforce Review
GDPR information and legislation updates
Sales Data collection and reporting
Brexit - In late 2017 we began our own research on Brexit’s potential impact on our sector. The evidence has allowed UK Theatre to be part of policy discussions with government, parliamentarians and other stakeholders.
Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) - We have commissioned research to undertake a study assessing the contribution of the TTR to theatre and performing arts, to be published in Spring 2019.
Celebrate excellence through the UK Theatre Awards
We revised and refreshed the UK Theatre Awards and in 2019 they’ll become even more relevant to today’s industry, with new categories and a new way for UK Theatre members to get involved.
Training, courses, conferences and events
We reviewed and have developed the UK Theatre programme of training and events and conferences.
Advocacy and Communications
We have responded to over 20 consultations this year. These include; CMS Select Committee - Social impact of participation in culture and sport inquiry; Taylor Review Employment Status; Ecodesign and energy labeling (Theatrical Lighting).
In addition to written consultations, we have presented in parliament, attended meetings and engaged with civil servants and Parliamentarians in the Lords and Commons.
We have worked with departments from DCMS to the Department for Trade and Industry, and have regular catch-ups with DCMS and their counterparts in Labour and the Lib Dems, briefing them on our work and concerns of the sector.
Monthly Advocacy Briefings for members
Member Survey 2019
UK Theatre Members can take our 2019 Member Survey (open until 28 February). Tell us how you think UK Theatre is doing, how we can improve and how we can support theatre and performing arts to stay resilient.
