UKP-Arts is dedicated to providing essential, reliable, comprehensive and unbiased information for anyone interesting in persuing training and careers in the UK performance industry.

Launched in 2004 as the electronic version of the Guide to Performing Arts, UKP-Arts carries regularly updated performing arts advice and a unique searchable course database of UK-based performing arts courses.

www.ukperformingarts.co.uk/

Finding funding

You are probably aware that making the decision to continue your training after school is not going to be cheap. However, if you’ve really got what it takes to be a success then there are ways you may be able to get help towards your finances. In general, if you continue learning after 16 — either in full-time education or through work-based learning — there are various Government schemes you can apply for to get financial help with the cost of your studies. These will usually depend on your household income and can help towards the costs of living and learning. For those wishing to become dancers, actors or stage managers then the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) are an option. They offer greatly reduced tuition fees and can help with living and study costs at some of the leading private dance and drama training providers. You must be aged over 16 for dance courses and over 18 for acting and stage management courses.

There are other potential sources of funding such as the BBC Performing Arts Fund which includes a Musical Theatre Bursary awarding £150,000 worth of grants to aspiring musical theatre performers.

Aspiring musicians should also look at the various awards and scholarships offered by the Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF). In addition to these individual award schemes the MBF provides an on-line database of other sources of funding called the Funding Wizard. The database lists the various MBF awards, as well as many others, and also contains useful advice and tips for students.

There is also help available for younger students. The Government’s Music and Dance scheme is aimed at young musicians aged 8 to 16 (on first application) and for young dancers aged 11 to 16 (on first application) with exceptional potential and dedication, and who do not have the financial means to access the training they need. The grants are means-tested and an audition will be involved.

Planning for success

Many options exist for anyone considering training and a career in the performing arts, and some careful thought and planning needs to go in to deciding where and how to train for success.

Knowing what you want to do and believing you can do it is one half of the recipe. The other half involves taking action. The first step involves creating a realistic plan. Once you've decided which area(s) of the performing arts you are going to pursue, you need to look at the best and most practical way of getting yourself on the first rung of the ladder. This must involve where you are going to train and what you are going to train in. Whether you are planning on a career as a performer, manager or technician though, chances are that the course you choose or the route you take needs to contain a large amount of practical or vocational training.

Your plan must involve finding a credible organisation offering courses or programmes in whichever area(s) of the performing arts you want to be successful within. You must then determine if you have the necessary qualifications to get accepted. Not every training provider demands that these are performing arts-related - it could actually be to your advantage later in your career if you have skills and knowledge in other areas. If you're keen to enrol on a BA (Hons) course, then you are going to require A-levels (usually two or three good passes), BTEC National Diploma or AVCE with a reasonably high-grade profile or equivalent. There are also Foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and other alternative routes such as Modern Apprenticeships and NVQ courses to consider, which can be combined with invaluable work experience.

For performance courses, auditions will also invariably play a part in getting on a course, and you should take the time to be as prepared as you possibly can be for these. How auditions are held will vary from place to place too, so be prepared for a bit of a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. Just remember to view the audition as a valuable learning experience, listen to any feedback given to you and use it to improve your audition technique.

Good luck!