Inspire is part of NAYT’s national training programme which offers youth theatres mentoring and bespoke training packages tailored to meet individual and specific needs. Youth theatre practitioners can apply for one of the two packages on offer these are either a mentor visit or a shadow placement.
Shadowing placement
NAYT offers placements within highly reputable youth theatres, theatres and other appropriate organisations. Host organisations are selected because they offer examples of excellent practice in one or more areas of their work with young people. We will ask you to identify your development needs and then match you to the appropriate organisation and arrange a two or three day shadow placement. Shadow placements offer hands on experience, giving an insight into how another organisation has dealt with an issue you have highlighted. Identified development areas might be:
• Implementing policy and procedure
• Implementing an artistic programme
• Administration of the youth theatre
• Effective communication with young people and their families
• Project management
• Production management
• Inclusion and young people who are hard to reach
• Facilitation techniques
• Integrating youth theatre into a multi-purpose venue
• Rehearsal room and workshop practices
Mentor visit
You can also apply for an NAYT mentor to visit your organisation to work with you on specific and often more complex development needs. The mentor will work with you for 2 days on issues which have been pre identified and discussed. Identified development areas might be:
• Strategy and organisational structure
• Youth theatre policy and procedure
• Artistic policy and programming
• Management and personnel
• Marketing, communications and IT
• Finance & fundraising
• Partnerships and collaborations
• Governance
• Capital projects
There is an option of an additional third day which takes place 2 to 4 months after the initial mentor visit.
Process
You need to complete the attached application form which includes identifying your development needs. NAYT will assess applications and match successful bids with host organisations or mentors.
Inspire visits and placements take place between September 2010 and March 2011 at a mutually convenient time to suit all parties. There will be up to one full day of planning and preparation involved which is done by email and telephone in advance of the visit/placement.
How much does it cost?
A shadow placement costs £100 (plus your own travel and accommodation expenses). A deposit of £25 will be required within 14 days of confirmation of your place on the Inspire programme.
A mentor visit costs between £800 and £1200 (depending on number of days and distance for travel). A deposit of £250 will be required within 14 days of confirmation of your place on the Inspire programme.
NAYT is able to offer up to 3 mentor visits and 10 shadow placements free of charge. These places are reserved for youth theatres with limited resources. Those who apply for a free place will be asked to complete an additional application form and provide a copy of their organisation's most recent accounts.
Organisations who receive free Inspire placements/visits are requested to acknowledge NAYT’s support in marketing materials, annual reports and accounts.
When is it?
Due to the high demand for placements on the scheme, we will now be welcoming applications throughout the summer. NAYT will inform successful applicants and the visits/placements will complete between September 2010 and March 2011.
What do I have to do?
Complete the application form and return it to NAYT before the closing date. Please contact us if you need any help filling in the application or if you wish to discuss your development needs.
