ERIC Number: EJ1412078
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0950-4222
EISSN: EISSN-2043-6858
The Role of Higher Education in Sustainable Creative Careers: Exploring UK Theatre Graduates and Theatre Careers
Manfredi de Bernard; Roberta Comunian; Sarah Jewell; Elisa Salvador; Dave O'Brien
Industry and Higher Education, v38 n1 p14-26 2024
This paper reflects on the systematic interconnections between creative workers and higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite the latter representing key intermediaries in creative industries' development and creative workers' career trajectories, the relationship between the two has rarely been framed in a relational and systemic framework. To do so, we chose the UK theatre sector as the case study and adopted a mixed methodology: UK Higher Education Statistical Agency quantitative data, which informed us on the employment state of workers 6 months after graduation, were combined with 21 semi-structured interviews with actors and actresses to understand the complexity of their relationship with HEIs. HEIs emerge as the initial door to paid jobs and professional networks for graduates and as employers for those in the later stages of their careers: the lack of formal ways to access jobs and the precarious working conditions for performers make hence HEIs a crucial force in shaping workers' careers. Furthermore, HE remains throughout the career of theatre workers an important part of their portfolio, providing reliable income and more stable working patterns when needed. The paper concludes with the findings' policy implications and the future role of HEIs in creative and cultural ecosystems.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Graduates, Drama Education, Acting, Theater Arts, Employees, Colleges, Partnerships in Education, Creative Activities, Theaters, Employment Level, Work Environment, Guaranteed Income, Employment Patterns, Education Work Relationship, College Role
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A