“Working in partnership with Promote YT is crucial as we endeavour to promote and increase participation in the arts.”

“This vital partnership allows us to design creative projects tailored to work with marginalised and disadvantaged groups and provides an accessible and relevant way for young audiences to experience the power of arts.”

Through 2008-2011 Promote YT’s activity in support of the youth theatre sector has included:

> Offering free advice and guidance to new and existing youth theatres and freelance practitioners on topics such as setting up a youth theatre, creating partnerships, sourcing artists, effective marketing and communications, finding funding and organisational development and management issues.

> Brokering partnerships between artistic organisations and individuals to develop and deliver youth theatre provision.

> Providing a package of exclusive membership benefits including; discounted member rates for all Promote YT training events, youth theatre listings on the Promote YT website, free access to members’ resources (Training Framework, child protection guidelines, marketing and funding tips, Freelancer’s Handbook), free access to Promote YT Member’s Suite (a meeting and work space with free WIFI).

> Developing and delivering tailor-made SKILL UP Xtra training events in response to sector feedback.

> Managing unique youth theatre projects including; Aberdeen OUR CITY, Fife Young Carers MASH UP and NFYT 2011 DEAF ACCESS PROJECT.

> Establishing a Promote YT Sector Symposium to provide all individuals and organisations with a stake in youth theatre an opportunity to network, discuss and inform development in the sector.

> Facilitating sector communication through social networks, online resources, forums and printed information and reports.

& Sector Training

Promote YT’s Training Framework was introduced in 2008 to highlight the principal areas of best practice pertinent to all youth theatre organisations in Scotland regardless of scale, style, status or approach, informed by the findings of our National Youth Theatre Surveys.

Designed to act as a guide to the sector, each element has been supported by co-ordinated skill development via Promote YT’s key platforms including SKILL UP and the National Festival of Youth Theatre.

Through endorsement of this Training Framework youth theatre organisations are able to assure their stakeholders of their commitment to the best interests of the young people involved with them. They are therefore able to assert the following statements:

> Statement 1

We have the ability to engage children and young people as activeparticipants in our creative process

> Statement 2

We understand that process and product are equally and mutually beneficial aspects of our youth theatre activity

> Statement 3

We strive to broaden our understanding of technique and approach to enrich the delivery of our youth theatre activity

> Statement 4

We have a determination to broaden the access of those participating in our youth theatre activity as creators and audience

> Statement 5

We have systems of evaluation in place to better assess our creative and operational output

> Statement 6

We have an understanding of current policy and protocol in relation to safe and appropriate youth theatre practice