Presentation to the Forum for Local Presentation to the Forum for Local Government & the Arts (FLGA)Government & the Arts (FLGA)

Thursday 22 May 2008Thursday 22 May 2008

Michael Poynor: ChairMichael Poynor: Chair

History of NITAHistory of NITABegan life as the Theatre Producers Group (TPG) in 1999

Established as a network for producers of professional theatre in response to the lack of a sectoral body

Jan Branch became its first Chair in 1999

TPG had Chair, Vice Chair & freelance co-ordinator

Need for a wider umbrella for the theatre sector led to NITA being established in 2004, with Michael Poynor as its first Chair

Why does NITA exist?Why does NITA exist?

To provide a collective voice for the theatre sector in NITo provide a forum for the exchange of informationTo access &/or facilitate trainingTo act as a ‘think tank’ for the sectorTo be the main driver of innovation, change & creativity in strategic planning for the sectorTo raise the profile of theatreTo increase professionalism in the theatre sectorTo improve integration between the business & theatre sectorsTo provide a forum for networkingTo act as a ‘job market’ centre for the theatre sector

Who belongs to NITA?Who belongs to NITA?

Our members fall broadly into the following categories:

Theatres & arts centres (venues)Theatres & arts centres (venues) Touring production companiesTouring production companies FestivalsFestivals Support organisationsSupport organisations Individual theatre / drama practitionersIndividual theatre / drama practitioners

NITA membersNITA members

Grand Opera HouseTinderbox Theatre CompanyWaterside Theatre, L/DerryBig Telly Theatre CompanyArdhowen Theatre, EnniskillenBelfast Festival at Queen’sBruiser Theatre CompanyDerry PlayhouseAudiences NI

Alley Theatre, StrabaneUlster Theatre CompanyPrime Cut ProductionsIsland Arts Centre, LisburnYoung at ArtLyric TheatreSpanner in the WorksMarket Place Theatre, ArmaghReplay Productions

A cross-section of our members……

NITA structureNITA structure

We have a Board of 8 members drawn We have a Board of 8 members drawn from & voted in by our membersfrom & voted in by our members

Our board includes a minimum of 2 reps Our board includes a minimum of 2 reps from venues & 2 reps from producersfrom venues & 2 reps from producers

Board is supported by a freelance Project Board is supported by a freelance Project ManagerManager

Our Board meets about 5 times p.a & our Our Board meets about 5 times p.a & our membership bi-monthlymembership bi-monthly

What NITA doesWhat NITA doesHosts bi-monthly network meetingsHosts bi-monthly network meetingsRuns a major sector-specific training programme in partnership with the Runs a major sector-specific training programme in partnership with the Independent Theatre Council (ITC)Independent Theatre Council (ITC)Undertakes lobbying & advocacy activities on behalf of its membershipUndertakes lobbying & advocacy activities on behalf of its membershipCarries out small scale researchCarries out small scale researchProvides almost daily e-bulletins on funding, training, job opportunities & Provides almost daily e-bulletins on funding, training, job opportunities & other informationother informationCirculates job information on behalf of membersCirculates job information on behalf of membersDeveloping a website – Developing a website – www.nitatheatre.org Shared data projector & electronic training resourcesShared data projector & electronic training resourcesSupport officer for research, contacts, information, signposting & general Support officer for research, contacts, information, signposting & general supportsupportCo-ordination & development of a theatre captioning project for NICo-ordination & development of a theatre captioning project for NI

Future plansFuture plans

NITA has never been core funded (existed only through an NITA has never been core funded (existed only through an Awards for All grant until 2 years ago!)Awards for All grant until 2 years ago!)

Recent theatre strategy review by ACNI identified strong need for Recent theatre strategy review by ACNI identified strong need for a sectoral body a sectoral body

NITA hopes to secure a new funding arrangement with ACNI later NITA hopes to secure a new funding arrangement with ACNI later this yearthis year

We hope future activities will include a conference for the theatre We hope future activities will include a conference for the theatre & drama sector in NI, additional research & development & drama sector in NI, additional research & development activities, more training, greater lobbying & advocacy role and a activities, more training, greater lobbying & advocacy role and a higher profile and appreciation for theatre and the arts amongst higher profile and appreciation for theatre and the arts amongst our politicians, press & general publicour politicians, press & general public

NITA contact detailsNITA contact details

c/o Green Hatc/o Green HatUnit 14 Manderwood ParkUnit 14 Manderwood Park

LISNASKEALISNASKEACo FermanaghCo Fermanagh

BT92 0FPBT92 0FP

028 677 23766028 677 23766info@nitatheatre.orgwww.nitatheatre.org