The performance industry has a long history of attracting talented individuals keen to share their creativity with an appreciative audience either on the stage, in front of a camera or within the community. It is also important to acknowledge that not everyone wanting to make a successful career in the industry wants to be a performer. The people working behind the scenes of any production are equally as talented as those performing, and a great many rewarding and creative careers exist outside of the spotlight.

Whichever area of the performing arts you choose, in order to pursue your career successfully you will need to find essential and reliable information on the availability of qualifications, training providers, potential funding and career options. It is for these reasons that the UK Guide to Performing Arts was created.

As independent initiatives, UKP-Arts and its print companion contain information and advice from a wide spectrum of individuals and organisations involved with the performing arts. Within this site you will find articles on funding, auditions, training and career opportunities as well as profiles of individuals - both performing arts students and those who are currently working in the industry - and a listing of training providers throughout the UK. All articles and features are designed to help you make the right decisions and the industry maintain the highest standards of creativity and craftsmanship.

There are many organisations that can assist you and who want you to contact them. It is therefore important to learn from the expert advice provided and explore the opportunities offered by those advertising within these pages. We also encourage you to make use of our unique searchable database of performing arts courses available throughout the UK.

We wish you every success for the future.

The UKP-Arts Team