Presentation to the Forum for Local Government & the Arts (FLGA) Thursday 22 May 2008 Michael Poynor: Chair

History of NITA Began 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 NI To provide a forum for the exchange of information To access &/or facilitate training To act as a ‘think tank’ for the sector To be the main driver of innovation, change & creativity in strategic planning for the sector To raise the profile of theatre To increase professionalism in the theatre sector To improve integration between the business & theatre sectors To provide a forum for networking To 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) Touring production companies Festivals Support organisations Individual theatre / drama practitioners

NITA members Grand Opera House Tinderbox Theatre Company Waterside Theatre, L/Derry Big Telly Theatre Company Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen Belfast Festival at Queen’s Bruiser Theatre Company Derry Playhouse Audiences NI Alley Theatre, Strabane Ulster Theatre Company Prime Cut Productions Island Arts Centre, Lisburn Young at Art Lyric Theatre Spanner in the Works Market Place Theatre, Armagh Replay Productions A cross-section of our members……

NITA structure We have a Board of 8 members drawn from & voted in by our members Our board includes a minimum of 2 reps from venues & 2 reps from producers Board is supported by a freelance Project Manager Our Board meets about 5 times p.a & our membership bi-monthly

What NITA does Hosts bi-monthly network meetings Runs a major sector-specific training programme in partnership with the Independent Theatre Council (ITC) Undertakes lobbying & advocacy activities on behalf of its membership Carries out small scale research Provides almost daily e-bulletins on funding, training, job opportunities & other information Circulates job information on behalf of members Developing a website – Shared data projector & electronic training resources Support officer for research, contacts, information, signposting & general support Co-ordination & development of a theatre captioning project for NI

Future plans NITA has never been core funded (existed only through an Awards for All grant until 2 years ago!) Recent theatre strategy review by ACNI identified strong need for a sectoral body NITA hopes to secure a new funding arrangement with ACNI later this year We hope future activities will include a conference for the theatre & drama sector in NI, additional research & development activities, more training, greater lobbying & advocacy role and a higher profile and appreciation for theatre and the arts amongst our politicians, press & general public

NITA contact details c/o Green Hat Unit 14 Manderwood Park LISNASKEA Co Fermanagh BT92 0FP