£9.6m boost for performing arts training in England announced

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Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts students in rehearsals. Photo: Peter Carr

Higher education regulator the Office for Students has awarded a £9.6 million annual funding boost to 15 establishments across England that provide training in performing arts.

The organisations include Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Leeds Conservatoire, Chickenshed Theatre Company and the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. All will receive a portion of the funding to help improve teaching and access to training.

A total of £9.6 million a year will be awarded over five financial years from 2022-23 to 2026-27.

Six organisations will receive the maximum amount of £1 million a year. LIPA has been awarded this amount in this financial year.

Sean McNamara, LIPA principal and chief executive, said: “The funding recognises our enduring reputation for excellence and the significant costs associated with delivering the type of high-quality specialist professional vocational training that we provide.

"It also recognises the importance of developing our students as creative artists and cultural entrepreneurs of the future in the ever-evolving cultural and creative industries, which annually contribute £115 billion to the UK economy.

McNamara added: "Following our decision to remove audition fees, the funding will also enable us to push forward with our ambitious plans to widen access to performing arts training, expand on our already extensive industry and cultural partnerships and invest in professional standard equipment to ensure we continue to reflect the latest industry developments and trends.”

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The Office for Students said the funding would improve access and teaching resources for contemporary music, drama and dance courses and would support:

Improved delivery of teaching and learning to students.
The development of partnerships with other higher-education providers, nationally and internationally, or relevant industries to improve study and career opportunities for students.
Access to specialist performing arts education for students from under-represented groups.
Provision of specialist equipment for students, such as musical instruments, costumes or computing equipment.

Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the Office for Students, said: "The performing arts make a significant economic and cultural contribution to society. They enrich lives and create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK."

Lapworth added: "The investment will ensure that current and future generations of students – whatever their background – are able to succeed during their studies and into their careers.

"The small size and highly specialised approach of the institutions we are funding play an important role in their educational experience of students, and this funding will ensure they can continue to deliver a high-quality experience."

Joe Wilson, principal of Leeds Conservatoire – which also received £1 million – added: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding and that the OfS has acknowledged the significant economic and cultural contribution to society the performing arts make.

"Our graduates are in demand and work in a wide range of roles, but what makes them truly distinctive is the multidisciplinary training and entrepreneurial spirit that places them at the forefront of their fields.”

Other organisations that will also receive the funding include LAMDA, Rose Bruford College, the National Centre for Circus Arts, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, the Backstage Academy, the BIMM Institute, Central School of Ballet, Court Theatre Training Company, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, Point Blank Music School and the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

The OfS also announced £16 million of recurrent funding to expand the development and delivery of other higher education qualifications. This includes £8 million to support the development of Level 6 degree apprenticeship training programmes and £8 million to increase the provision of Level 4 and 5 qualifications.