The relationship between BAC, artists and their work

This is a description of different ways in which we work with artists in terms of presentation, development or co-producing work. We have put it together after reading Gemma Paintin’s great blog about the relationship between artists and venues - you can find Gemma’s blog HERE >>

Hopefully by sharing the way that we work with artists we will make a small contribution to opening up the debate and the information available to artists, as well as opening up conversations between venues about ways we might work more effectively together and provide a better connected series of opportunities for artists.

Underlying the BAC offer to artists that we describe below are a set of  principles: that relate to our mission to create new theatre; to promote independent artists; to help artists plot and realise their ambitions; to offer audiences a great experience; and to find ways of enabling BAC to improve its support for artists. In other words, the arrangements described below are only one side of the story. Our values are another side of the story. These have led to programmes like The Independents which we have run for the last couple of years. The programme has sought to connect independent practitioners across the UK to establish networks and encourage potentially isolated artists to be stronger together. We are also interested in trying to address what we see as some of the inherent problems of making theatre as an independent artist in London. We are aware of the limitations of what we offer and we’re always looking at ways to improve this, including lobbying the Arts Council to better support independent artists through programmes at BAC and elsewhere.

View our offers / arrangements in terms of presenting and developing work HERE >>

Arts Funding

The arts in the UK rely on public funding for their continued health. That's money the government gives to the arts from everyone's taxes towards a cultural life in this country that is the envy of the world. Just 17 pence a week of your taxes helps keep the arts thriving. The arts give back to the economy far more than they receive in grants - for every £1 received, £2 is generated elsewhere.

The funded arts also make a huge contribution to other parts of our creative economy. West End theatre, TV and film all rely heavily on people and ideas supported by government through the Arts Council. And the arts play a central role in making the UK a popular tourist destination - it's our theatre, dance, opera and thriving music scene that are often key to people wanting to spend time in this country.

We know that the government is planning to make cuts to the arts budget. So now is the time to help BAC and other arts organisations come together to make the case for why the arts matter and reduce the level of these reductions in funding. There is a strong economic case for continuing to support the arts and we want to ensure that any cuts do not permanently damage a thriving sector. To help our theatres and theatre companies, artists and art galleries, music, dance and literature stay the best in the world we urge you to join these two campaigns:

savethearts-uk.blogspot.com

ivaluethearts.org.uk

Thank you.