Step Change

STEP CHANGE…

Is for individuals who:

• have proven experience working for arts organisations (with at least two years’ experience)

• who have the ability or potential to play a management/producing role.

• are passionate and ambitious about developing a career as a leader in the arts

Aims to:

• broaden the range of possibilities for people from a range of backgrounds who might not realise their potential.

• offer structured development opportunities to people who might not otherwise gain experience working in different scales of organisations or artistic disciplines.

• build relationships between larger and smaller companies.

• encourage a greater diversity in the workforce of the larger organisations.

• provide a stepping-stone for talented people in the arts.

Involves:

• mentoring, masterclasses, a secondment and networking with peers

Why STEP CHANGE?

Career development in the management of performing arts can be fairly haphazard. There are limited opportunities for people to acquire knowledge or practical experience other than through their day jobs; formal training opportunities, particularly for those working freelance, often occur by chance – being in the right place at the right time or knowing the right people.

This is an ineffective way of identifying talent and placing it in the most appropriate context; it tends to overlook people from certain backgrounds who may not yet have acquired the confidence or networks needed to negotiate a path through a forest of half-glimpsed opportunities; and it is not designed to enable people in the earlier stages of their careers to gain experience in different scales of organisation or different disciplines.

A network of building-based organisations in London – initially the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Young Vic and BAC – responded to this situation in 2006 by developing a programme of professional development for talented individuals in the early-mid stages of their career.  Step Change is now run by the National Theatre and co-funded by the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House, in partnership with Young Vic, BAC and Nitro. A fourth cohort of participants will be recruited for 2010-11.

Interested in Applying for 2010-11?

”I did not realise how radically I could change in a week… it was like oxygen!”
 Christine Twite, Participant 09-10

Plans for the 2010-11 programme are currently being finalised for Step Change. Recruitment information will be available to download at the beginning of September 2010.

Interested in Hosting a Secondment?

“[It] greatly enriched the company”
Kate McGrath, Director of Fuel, Host 08/09

Step Change is currently looking for organisations to take participants from the programme on placements to work on discrete projects or productions. If your organisation is interested in hosting a secondment, please contact the Step Change coordinator.

Gemma Baxter, Step Change Coordinator
gbaxter@nationaltheatre.org.uk

Further Information

How to Apply for Step Change 2010-11 (deadline 18 October, 10am)
Available to download on our vacancies page .

Coming soon:

Information for Mentors
‘Step Change – Information for Mentors (2010-11)’