INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AND NEW MODELS
TNV’s goal:
To ensure the ongoing sustainability of the small to medium theatre sector in Victoria and across Australia, and in particular to ensure that independent theatre artists are better supported.
TNV Manifesto – statements of principle:
- We believe artists – including writers, devisors, composers, designers, performers, dramaturges – play a pivotal role in the theatre industry; and
- We believe the small-to-medium theatre sector is a career destination, not simply a pathway to commercial or major sectors, and is integral to invention and innovation in theatre in Australia.
Next Steps:
In particular, we believe that independent theatre makers – those not associated with an ongoing theatre company – are a vital but vulnerable group within the theatre profession, and warrant stronger support in order to continue to contribute to the sector.
We will:
=> Continue advocacy for the small to medium and independent theatre sectors.
=> Support the work of other organisations and initiatives that are supporting independent theatre makers.
=> Work with other organisations, such as Live Performance Australia, Ausdance, and Arts Industry Council (Vic) to advocate for better pay and conditions for independent performance makers.
=> Maintain a web-page for this strategy on the website.
=> Undertake a biennial survey on Remuneration of the Small to Medium sector to aid benchmarking and encourage improved remuneration.
=> Promote this issue throughout the theatre industry and beyond.
RESOURCES and LINKS:
TNV 2009 Small to Medium Remuneration Report This report analyses results from an online survey that collected responses about organisational size, salaries, other benefits, and professional development allowances of the main staff positions of 50 mostly small-to-medium Australian arts organisations.
Independent Producers Australia – Membership Organisation Independent Producers Australia is a peer organisation of Australian independent performing arts producers. It exists to represent and canvas the needs of the independent arts sector. IPA was established following a series of meetings between independent producers throughout 2009 and 2010 and has a nationwide membership. Membership is $550 per year.
Arts Council Ireland – Examining New Ways to Support Theatre This discussion document sets out ideas which encapsulate, from an Arts Council perspective, some of the challenges facing both the theatre sector and the Council regarding how best to fund theatre production in the future. It includes discussion on the growing independent sector.
Alison Croggon’s Theatre Notes Blog This theatre blog includes many great discussions and reviews of independent theatre. See, for example: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com/2010/12/independent-theatre.html
2011 Remuneration Report The Report analyses results from 92 surveyed small to medium Australian arts organisations.
(Find all TNV resources here.)