What We Do
Our mission is to be the collective voice for the performing arts, to represent the many disparate views of the members including theatre, dance & opera production companies, venues, festivals and individual artists.
We provide:
- Information Provision
- Training & Professional Development
- Research
- Policy & Advocacy
Our Story
Theatre Forum began back in the late 1990s. At the time companies and artists felt that they were working in isolation, and the sector was fragmented. The theatre community was a series of individual relationships and conversations. There was a strong feeling that the industry needed to get organised.
A group of theatre practitioners met to try and improve our sector through networking and sharing. They met informally for four or five years, moving around the country gathering members. There was no organisation as such and no staff but great energy. It quickly became apparent the industry needed a united voice.
Everyone agreed there should be less separation between the presenters of work (venues and festivals) and the makers of work (artists and presenters, touring companies). The sector wanted a collective voice to advocate for the performing arts to government, the Arts Council etc. We also agreed we needed to support each other to improve circumstances for people making work.
In 2003 Theatre Forum became formalised. Our mission is to be the collective voice for the performing arts, to represent the many disparate views of the members including theatre, dance & opera production companies, venues, festivals and individual artists.
Theatre Forum is driven by its members. The board is elected by the members. Members decide the priorities and drive our agenda.
