According to a recent report titled “The Performing Arts Blueprint” published by Creative and Cultural Skills, a “skills time bomb” is threatening to damage the ability of the UK’s performing arts sector to fulfill its economic promise. It cites underinvestment in training as the main factor likely to result in skills shortages and gaps.

The report found that the performing arts supported nearly 5,500 businesses and over 100,000 jobs in 2008/09 – a 20% increase compared to 2006/07 – with over a third of those employed in on-stage occupations. Between the two periods, the number of dancers and choreographers increased by half, while directors, producers, and administrators grew by 17 percent.

But despite nearly half of arts organizations reporting a rise in turnover in 2008/09, 55% did not invest in staff training, while 40% claimed they lacked time to implement training programs.

Just over 10% had accessed public funding designed to aid professional development, with nearly half of the staff receiving no training at all during the same period. ICT, technical, and administration skills showed the most severe shortages.

Pointing to the report’s findings, CCS chief executive Tom Bewick said: “The cracks are beginning to show. If this situation continues, there’s a real risk that the performing arts sector won’t have the skilled staff it needs to take full advantage of future business opportunities and this will prevent it from fulfilling its economic promise.”

With over 150,000 new jobs expected in the sector before the decade draws to a close (over half of which will be in “associate professional and technical roles”), I believe it is vital that performing arts businesses begin to invest in training for these roles as soon as possible.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about arts & culture