Theatre and Dance NI

What Theatre and Dance NI does

Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) is the leading support and membership body for the theatre and dance sector in Northern Ireland, operating as a registered charity. It was formed in 2020 through the merger of Theatre NI and Dance Resource Base and now serves approximately 300 members, ranging from individual artists and freelance producers to established producing theatres and dance companies. Its core remit combines sector advocacy, professional development, and shared services infrastructure across Northern Ireland and increasingly across the island of Ireland.

TDNI's product surface bundles multiple programmes into a single membership offering. Programmes include INVEST (a 2022-launched producer-development initiative), Spotlight (a curated showcase platform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2019), Dance Intensives delivered with international choreographers such as Akram Khan, Oona Doherty, and Michael Keegan-Dolan, and a Member Assistance Programme run in partnership with Spectrum Life. Operational services include equipment hire, captioned performances, a sector jobs board, and a member directory, alongside policy work via the secretariat role for the All-Party Group on Arts at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The business model mixes membership subscriptions (tiered at roughly £20–£350 per year), fee-based operational services such as equipment hire and captioning, and project-restricted grants from public funders led by Arts Council NI and Belfast City Council, with additional cross-border and international collaboration. The team is small (around 7 staff), positioning TDNI as a grant-dependent infrastructure provider rather than a commercial enterprise, with revenue concentrated in a narrow funder base and tightly constrained operating scale.

Name

Theatre and Dance NI

Legal name

Theatre and Dance NI

Website

https://theatreanddanceni.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Theatre and Dance NI is Northern Ireland's leading registered charity supporting the theatre and dance sector, serving roughly 300 member artists, producers, and companies through training programmes, advocacy, equipment hire, captioned performances, and showcase platforms including Edinburgh Fringe Spotlight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Support Services

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH), Dance Floor, Staging & Platform Rentals (HSACAFAD)

Keywords

• Membership organisation services
• Performing arts support
• Artist development programmes
• Equipment hire services
• Professional training workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees ranging from £20 to £350 per year depending on membership tier (individual, organization size by turnover, local authority, or educational institution). Membership provides access to bursaries, training, counselling services, equipment discounts, and networking opportunities.
2. Equipment Hire: Hire of performance equipment including Harlequin dance floors, captioning equipment, and ballet barres. Prices vary by item with member discounts available. Booking handled through online system.
3. Captioning Services: Captioning equipment hire with separate captioner contractor fees of £540 for events. Hirers source and contract their own captioners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Theatre and Dance NI operates a tiered membership programme for individual artists and arts organisations in Northern Ireland, supplemented by fee-based services including performance equipment hire (Harlequin dance floors, captioning equipment, ballet barres), the INVEST flagship artist development programme, the Spotlight international festival showcase, annual dance intensives with international choreographers, training courses, bursaries, and a 24/7 Member Assistance counselling service delivered in partnership with Spectrum Life.

Product overview

Theatre and Dance NI operates as a membership-based support organisation offering a comprehensive suite of services for the Northern Ireland theatre and dance sector. The portfolio includes tiered Membership Programme with professional benefits; Equipment Hire (dance floors, captioning, ballet barres); INVEST Programme for emerging artist development; Spotlight Programme for international festival showcasing; Dance Intensives with international choreographers; Member Assistance Programme (24/7 counselling via Spectrum Life); Bursaries for festival and training access; Training courses; Industry Jobs Board; Clash Diary event scheduling; ITC Hub Membership partnership; and Members Directory for freelancer visibility. The organisation does not operate a unified software platform but delivers services through member portals, booking systems, and direct programme delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programme Tiered annual membership programme for individuals, freelance artists, theatre and dance companies, local authorities, and educational institutions across Northern Ireland, providing benefits including bursaries, training discounts, networking access, equipment hire discounts, counselling services, advocacy representation, and members directory visibility. Annual subscription ranges from £20 (student/Universal Credit) to £350 (further and higher educational institutions).
• Equipment Hire Hire of performance equipment including Harlequin dance floors, ballet barres and other technical theatre equipment for theatre performances, workshops, and performing arts events across Northern Ireland. Booking handled through an online system with member discounts applied.
• Captioning Equipment Hire Specialised captioning equipment hire with LED units for deaf and hard-of-hearing accessibility during theatre performances, including service guide and captioner contract templates. Captioner contractor fees of £540 per event apply, sourced and contracted by the hirer.
• INVEST Programme Flagship artist development programme supporting emerging Northern Irish theatre and dance practitioners with bursaries, mentoring, training, and networking opportunities. Recognised as TDNI's flagship artist development programme.
• Spotlight Programme International showcase programme platforming Northern Irish artists at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Belfast International Arts Festival, providing networking with international industry delegates and touring opportunities. The 2026 cohort selected three productions and four artists for the Fellowship Programme at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• Dance Intensives Annual professional dance training intensives delivered in Belfast since 2021 in collaboration with internationally renowned choreographers including Akram Khan Company, Oona Doherty, and Michael Keegan-Dolan. Past intensives have included summer programmes for 30 artists from across the UK and Ireland and week-long intensives for 20 artists from the UK, Ireland, and Europe.
• Member Assistance Programme (MAP) 24/7 confidential counselling service delivered in partnership with Spectrum Life, including wellness app access, face-to-face counselling sessions, and mental health support available to paid TDNI members.
• Bursaries Professional development bursaries supporting artists to attend festivals, training and summer schools including Dublin Theatre Festival, IETM, IPAY, and Archa Divadlo. Funded through grant and partnership support.
• Training Courses Professional development workshops covering pitching, income generation, audience engagement, mental health first aid, captioning, and theatre tax relief training for performing arts practitioners.
• Industry Jobs Board Job vacancy platform allowing member organisations to advertise positions in theatre, dance and creative arts sectors in Northern Ireland. Open vacancy postings used by organisations including Cahoots NI and Accidental Theatre.
• Clash Diary / Industry Events Member-exclusive event scheduling platform allowing TDNI members to add and view industry events while checking for date conflicts with other sector events in Northern Ireland.
• ITC Hub Membership Partnership with the Independent Theatre Council providing Hub Associate access to legal guidance, training discounts, online resources, and networking events for emerging organisations and TDNI members.
• Members Directory Searchable directory of Northern Ireland-based freelancers, artists and organisations in theatre and dance, allowing members to advertise skills and availability to potential employers and collaborators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spotlight artists have achieved international touring to Australia, North America, New Zealand, and Venezuela
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• British Council Northern IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports Spotlight programme at Edinburgh Fringe providing international exposure for Northern Irish artists. Partner on cross-border cultural initiatives.
• Belfast International Arts FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Spotlight programme and cross-border cultural initiatives. Collaborates on international showcasing of Northern Irish work.
• Future Screens NIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative industries partner providing sector support and development opportunities.
• Arts & Business NIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on arts-business connections, fundraising training, and Blueprint programme for creative sector development.
• The MAC BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey venue partner for dance intensives with Akram Khan Company, Oona Doherty, and Michael Keegan-Dolan. Cultural hub supporting professional development programming.
• Akram Khan Dance CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered summer intensive programme in Belfast 2022 with 30 artists from across UK and Ireland. Collaboration part of TDNI's commitment to international dance development.
• Oona DohertyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning choreographer delivered two-day intensive at The MAC in February 2023. Participants worked with material from award-winning show 'Navy Blue'.
• Michael Keegan-Dolan / Teaċ DaṁsaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered week-long dance intensive February 2024 with 20 artists from UK, Ireland, and Europe. Olivier Award-winning choreographer supported by Arts Council NI and Idlewild Trust.
• Performing Arts Forum (PAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration on cross-island initiatives. TDNI supported 30 delegates to Belfast Gathering 2026 hosted at Lyric Theatre and Queen's University Belfast.
• Youth Theatre IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Cue the Future: Youth Theatre Island initiative delivering cross-border youth theatre showcase as part of Creative Ireland's Shared Island Initiative.
• An DroicheadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelfast-based Irish language organisation collaborating on bilingual cultural events including Michael Keegan-Dolan 'In Conversation' screening.
• Culture IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports international showcasing of Northern Irish work including Spotlight programme. Provided support for 'Good With Faces' production.
• Dance IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Dance Counts and Dance Conversations research projects. Supports cross-border dance sector information sharing.
• Independent Theatre Council (ITC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDNI is ITC member and extends Hub Membership benefits to members. Provides access to ITC resources, training, legal templates, and industry forums.
• UK TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry network for information sharing and broader theatre sector representation.
• Linen Hall LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDNI donated combined archive of Theatre NI and Dance Resource Base to Linen Hall Library's Theatre and Performing Arts Archive.
• University of AtypicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organisation for disabled artists; collaboration on accessibility and inclusion in performing arts sector.
• Paines PloughcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK touring theatre company that produced Karis Kelly's 'Consumed' in co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Sheffield Theatres, Women's Prize for Playwriting, and Lyric Theatre Belfast.
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Spotlight programme providing industry sessions, workspaces, and mental health support for Northern Irish artists.
• Dance Base EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Spotlight on Theatre and Dance NI event at Edinburgh Fringe providing showcase space and industry networking.
• Digital Theatre ArchiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline archive partnership with Linen Hall Library providing access to performing arts resources from 1736 to 2012.
• Spectrum LifecoreOthersDelivers 24/7 confidential counselling service through Membership Assistance Programme available to paid TDNI members.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Create Ireland: Irish national development agency for collaborative arts practice. Thematically adjacent peer — comparable as a sector development and capacity-building body supporting arts practitioners in a neighbouring jurisdiction with shared cross-border programming interests.

Broad incumbents

• Creative Scotland: Scottish public body funding and developing the arts, screen and creative industries. Comparable as a sector development body in another UK devolved nation, but at significantly larger scale with direct funding-distribution authority that TDNI lacks.
• UK Theatre: UK-wide trade association for theatre, performing arts and entertainment. Comparable in advocacy and information-sharing role but operates at a much larger UK-wide scale and is not jurisdiction-specific. Listed as a TDNI partner.
• Culture Ireland: Irish state agency promoting Irish arts worldwide. Comparable in international showcasing function (Culture Ireland supports NI artists touring internationally, similar to TDNI's Spotlight programme) but operates at state-agency scale in the neighbouring jurisdiction.

Direct peers

• Performing Arts Forum (PAF): European network of performing arts professionals and organisations. Directly comparable peer in delivering sector convening and knowledge-sharing events; TDNI supported 30 delegates to attend PAF's Belfast Gathering 2026.
• Youth Theatre Ireland: All-island development organization for youth theatre in Ireland. Directly comparable function to TDNI's youth theatre support role; active TDNI partner on the cross-border Cue the Future: Youth Theatre Island initiative.
• Independent Theatre Council (ITC): UK membership body for theatre and performing arts companies. Directly comparable to TDNI's theatre-side function (formerly TheatreNI): provides legal templates, training, HR services and sector advocacy. TDNI is an ITC member and extends Hub Membership benefits through it.
• One Dance UK: UK national sector support body for dance. Directly comparable to TDNI's dance-side role (formerly Dance Resource Base): advocates for the sector, delivers professional development and works with artists, companies and educators across the UK. Molly Rose Street of TDNI sits on its National Dance Network.

Regional players

• Dance Ireland: National resource organization for dance in the Republic of Ireland. Directly comparable in role and service mix (membership, training, advocacy, research) but operates in a different jurisdiction (ROI). Active TDNI partner on cross-border dance initiatives (Dance Counts, Dance Conversations).
• Federation of Scottish Theatre: Membership and advocacy body for professional theatre in Scotland. Closely analogous role within a UK devolved jurisdiction — same support functions (training, networking, advocacy) for a defined national/regional sector ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theatredanceni
• Facebookfacebook.com/theatreanddanceni
• Instagraminstagram.com/theatreanddanceni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tdni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Theatre and Dance NI