Links
A list of support organisations, development agencies, funding bodies, trade and workers' organisations, training and resource providers which may be of use to anyone working in the performing arts or the creative industries in general.
Arts About Manchester
Arts About Manchester is a membership organisation who acts as a central point of contact for the local arts community as well as an important research and intelligence resource. Their expertise in audience development and arts marketing also means that they work with non-members at both regional and national level.
Arts Admin
Founded in 1979, Artsadmin is a unique producing organisation for contemporary artists working in theatre, dance, live art, visual arts, and mixed media. Based at Toynbee Studios since 1995, the organisation offers a free advisory service for artists, mentoring and development programmes and a number of bursary schemes.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery.
Artsnet
Artsnet exists to enable people employed in or interested in arts and culture to engage with the wider strategic issues which affect your work, play and quality of life in the City of Manchester. The network is one of many which form the Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) which is part of the City's neighbourhood renewal process and links to the Manchester Strategic Partnership.
Business in the Arts: North West
BIA:NW brings business skills to the arts in ways that are beneficial to both business and the arts by giving free help to the arts and museums, providing practical ways for businesses to support the arts and museums, providing management development opportunities for business managers and professionals, and providing opportunities for community involvement and fulfilment of Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.
Community Arts Northwest (CAN)
Based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, CAN is an arts development organisation working in partnership with voluntary sector communities, agencies and artists to encourage, develop, create, produce and promote cultural programmes of work.
Creative Industries Development Service (CIDS)
The Creative Industries Development Service (CIDS) works to help new and established creative businesses in Greater Manchester, whilst also taking a strategic overview of the sector – developing projects in response to industry needs. We offer a free Information Service for creative business to help them find out what support is available to them.
CrISP Creative Industries Support Project - Cheshire and Warrington
CrISP provides networking opportunities for creative industries in Cheshire & Warrington. They also provide registered users with monthly email updates of news, events, opportunities and vacancies in creative industries throughout the North West. In addition users can promote their business for free in CrISP's Creative Directory.
Cultural Diversity Network North
CDNN addresses disparities in the audio visual industries along race and ethnic lines by sharing good practice, making their members aware of the barriers and also by targeting and providing skills to those people who may not usually have the chance.
Culture Northwest
The Cultural Consortium for England’s Northwest was established in 1999 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Culture Northwest is a thinking, networking and advocacy organisation. They work strategically through collaboration to champion the role of culture across the northwest region.
The Cumbria Network
An online resource for Cumbria’s artistic community which aims to encourage and continue the development of a sustainable rural arts model, a lively community of creative practitioners and a vibrant arts scene, through a range of interactive features.
Dance Northwest
For the past ten years, Dance Northwest has provided a professional development programme for dance artists in the region, as a part of the national network of dance agencies. In that time the dance portfolio in the North West has seen an expansion of dance practitioners, dance companies, dance development posts and dance hubs.
Dramaturgs' Network
Dramaturges' Network is an organisation for UK theatre practitioners committed to developing dramaturgy and supporting practitioners' development in the field.
Directory of Social Change
The Directory of Social Change, set up in 1975, aims to be an internationally recognised independent source of information and support to voluntary and community sectors worldwide. We enable the community and voluntary sectors to achieve their aims through being an independent voice, providing training and information.
Full Circle Arts
Full Circle Arts is a North West based arts organisation that is led by disabled people. It works nationally with partners to provide creative solutions for inclusion of disabled people in aspects of the cultural industries and the arts.
Get Into Theatre
This site hopes to open your eyes to the huge variety of careers in the industry–and different ways to get there. The site offers descriptions of over 80 careers in the arts, interviews with practitioners, a CV clinic, and a list opf resources and opportunities for people begining a career in the arts.
ICT Hub
ICT Hub is a partnership of national voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) who provide a range of services to help organisations in the voluntary and community sector benefit from ICT.
InterChange Legal Advisory Service
InterChange Legal Advisory Service has over 15 years' experience of providing specialised legal advice to charities and voluntary sector organisations at subsidised, affordable rates andprovides lectures and seminars on a variety of legal issues affecting charities and the voluntary sector.
Independent Theatre Council (ITC)
The Independent Theatre Council (ITC) is the UK's leading management association for the performing arts, representing around 700 organisations across the UK. At ITC we are committed to providing members with a comprehensive package of advice services, training and professional development opportunities, networking meetings and exclusive service discounts.
ITC are a PANDA Partner organisation and offer a discounted rate on membership to PANDA members. See the Special Offers and Discounts section for more information.
LANWest
www.lanwest.org
LANWest (Live Art North West) is a network of regional (and beyond) promoters and producers with an interest in live art and contemporary performance. The website is a one-stop video outlet for performance, contemporary theatre, and live
art made in the North West of England. Selected and endorsed by the
region’s key promoters, LANWest.org offers an online showcase of what
to watch out for.
Manchester Business Consortium
Manchester Business Consortium is an Enterprise Agency & company limited by guarantee. We have 20 years experience in delivering support to start-up and existing businesses. The Enterprise Agency is part of a network of referral and delivery.
Manchester Digital Development Agency
Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA) provides free and impartial ICT advice, support and guidance to small businesses, community groups, academic institutions and government agencies in the Greater Manchester area.
Manchester Playwrights Forum
www.manchester-playwrights-forum.org.uk
Manchester Playwrights Forum (MPF) is a script development organisation providing services for playwrights and their work. Formed in 2003 MPF organises regular meetings for readings, feedback and advice on playwriting as a career.
Manchester Youth Arts Network
Manchester Youth Arts Network is a mechanism for practitioners in the field of Youth Arts to connect, build partnerships and raise the profile of Youth Arts in Manchester. The website is used extensively by practitioners to make links with each other and develop new work and projects with young people.
New Work Network
New Work Network promotes and supports the development of new performance, live and interdisciplinary arts practice by providing demand-led networking support for artists and by facilitating engagement and collaboration between practitioners nationally and internationally.
Northern Actors Centre
www.northernactorscentre.co.uk
The NAC provides workshops for actors and other professionals in theatre, television, film and radio to enable them to continuously maintain and develop their craft once their initial training has been completed. The Centre is also an information resource on venues, tutors, production companies, agents, performers, equipment, and offers general professional advice and guidance.
Northern Actors Centre are a PANDA Partner organisation and offer a discounted rate on membership to PANDA members. See the Special Offers and Discounts section for more information.
North West Disability Arts Forum
NWDAF is a leading Disability and Deaf Arts Development Agency, based in Liverpool and working throughout the northwest region of England, increasingly nationally and internationally.
On the Move
www.on-the-move.org/EN/index.lasso
On the Move is a web site dedicated to international mobility opportunities and information in theatre, dance, music and other contemporary performing arts disciplines. It is intended for artists and performing arts professionals from Europe and beyond.
Own-it
Own-it provides free advice, resources and events on intellectual property, including copyright, design rights, trade marks, patents, branding, licensing, royalties and contracts. Membership is free and members can attend events, download event podcasts and sample legal contracts, access legal advice and attend IP clinics (free 45 mins with IP lawyer).
Talent Circle
Talent Circle is a free website for filmmakers, actors, TV programme makers, crew, writers, presenters, extras and all kinds of performers and features include networking, jobs, essential resources, profiles and more.
Target Training
Target Training was established by Stuart Worthington, a professional creative industries consultant with over twenty years experience. It was set up to provide training and business support programmes to the creative industries and have developed a series of master classes for people who either intend to or are already developing career and business opportunities in the arts.
Toolkit
The Toolkit is a website for individuals and groups who are developing creative enterprises and community arts projects in Manchester. It contains up to date, relevant information on organisations, networks, training and funding opportunities that can help make your project a success.
Visiting Arts
Visiting Arts' purpose is to strengthen intercultural understanding through the arts by creating, producing and distributing a free monthly e-newsletter, help-sheets, targeted briefings and the latest advice through print, web and word of mouth; organising and running training programmes, in-country workshops, R&D country-visits and networking events; and establishing and foster opportunities for ground-breaking artist exchanges, promote cutting edge exhibitions and contribute to some of the world’s biggest and most innovative festivals.