Finding the right support to help your ideas grow can make all the difference. Whatever your arts practice, there’s an agency there to support you and offer resources for your area of work.
A-N (Artists Information Company) www.a-n.co.uk A-N is a vital resource for visual and applied artists, whatever your development stage. It offers access to a vast and specialist bank of resources including guidance for commissioners and employers on good practice, fees and payments, contracts and insurance, as well as an online jobs and opportunities service.
Arts Council England (www.artscouncil.org.uk) The Arts Council is the national development agency for the arts in England and supports a range of artistic activities. The website gives information on Arts Council departments, funding, grants, news, publications and useful links. Subscribe to ArtsJobs and ArtsNews for useful up-to-date information on what’s going on in the arts.
Arts Professional www.artsprofessional.co.uk Arts Professional is an online resource for people working in the arts that aims to deliver a quality news and information service. It looks at what’s going on across the arts and analyses the latest ideas, technologies, policies and legislation affecting the sector.
British Film Institute (BFI) www.bfi.org.uk The British Film Institute (BFI) is the lead organisation for film in the UK and use Lottery funds to support film production, distribution, education and audience development.
Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk For those working in contemporary crafts the Crafts Council website is a must for information on professional development opportunities, resources and information on exhibitions and fairs. The Craft Directory lists new and established makers, galleries, awards and jobs to help you make connections.
Dancers' Career Development www.thedcd.org.uk
Vocational training and re-training for professional dancers resident in the UK
Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Department for Culture, Media and Sport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The DCMS is a government department that aims to make ‘Britain the world’s most creative and exciting place to live, visit and do business’.
Design Council www.designcouncil.org.uk The Design Council promotes design and architecture and its website features useful resources for small businesses, public sector managers, designers and design students, which include free guides, case studies and lists of networks and organisations.
Disability Arts Online www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk Disability Arts Online provides details of arts activities for the disabled with future projects, directory of resources and employment. As a resource for continuing professional development Disability Arts Online is a networking tool and a reference point in supporting disabled artists in developing their careers.
Earlyarts www.earlyarts.co.uk Earlyarts is a creative teaching and training network, helping educators bring children’s creativity to life. The site includes research and evidence in creativity in early learning and produces creative teaching materials and training events.
Foundation for Community Dance www.communitydance.org.uk The Foundation for Community Dance is the professional organisation for anyone involved in creating opportunities for people to experience and participate in dance. The website has information on courses and conferences, plus a publications section with information relevant to dancers working in community settings.
Heritage Lottery Fund www.hlf.org.uk The Heritage Lottery Fund offers a range of grant programmes from £3000 to £5 million. The site gives information on how to apply and features projects that have been awarded funding.
Independent Theatre Council (ITC) www.itc-arts.org The Independent Theatre Council is the lead body for performing arts organisations and individuals working in the field of drama, dance, opera and music theatre, mime and physical theatre, circus, puppetry, street arts and mixed media. The site has a resources section and lists the many training courses available to help you run a successful performing arts company.
Museums Association www.museumsassociation.org The Museums Association is a membership organisation for everyone working in museums, galleries and heritage. The site includes information on collections, exhibitions, events, campaigns and career development.
Musicians Union www.musiciansunion.org.uk The Musicians’ Union represents musicians working in all sectors of the music business. The MU looks after the interests of more than 30,000 professional musicians, offering practical advice and downloadable resources for those working in all industry sectors.
National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) www.noda.org.uk NODA provides assistance and advice to amateur theatre groups and societies in the UK. NODA offers its members a range of products and services to help with productions, such as their health and safety service, NODA Safe, or help with the marketing of productions and societies through the Social Media Helpdesk.
People Dancing is the development organisation for community and participatory dance, driving forward inclusion and excellence through training, qualifications, resources, specialist programmes & networks. www.communitydance.org.uk
PRS for Music Foundation (PRSF) PRS Foundation - Leading UK funder of new music & talent development. The UK's leading funder of new music across all genres. PRS for Music Foundation supports a range of new music activity– from composer residencies and commissions to festivals and showcases in the UK and overseas.
Writers Guild www.writersguild.org.uk The Writers' Guild of Great Britain supports writers across media including books, film, online, radio, theatre, TV and videogames.