The role of higher education in sustainable creative careers: Exploring UK theatre graduates and theatre careers

Abstract

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.

“Why and how higher education is so important for cultural and creative industries’ sustainable development?”

“…In conclusion, it is essential to strengthen the relationships at local level between HEIs and cultural and creative ecosystems and look at their future evolution: the development of sustainable creative economies and cultural and creative ecosystems in the two small-sized cities of Dundee (Scotland) and Chatham (England) (Dent et al, 2024), as well as the development of a new political and cultural capital city (Astana) in Kazakhstan (Kim and Comunian, 2024) are exemplary evidence. Considering that HEIs are deeply intertwined with and often influence and/or define the theatre creatives' work life, more extensive attention in creative economy research and policymaking about the effective role and influence played by HEIs is necessary, as highlighted by De Bernard et al (2024). Last but not least, original and unexpected forms of collaboration arising between HEIs and CCIs are worth exploring: they could reveal unusual practices, like the interactions described by Cappelen and Strandgaard-Pedersen (2024) between HEIs and culinary movements facing sustainable change.…”

“…Culture is most often associated with education and, consequently, mobilised for educational purposes (UNESCO, 2022; Kamara, 2022). Education also has an influence in shaping creative workers' career and providing opportunities or barriers to sustainable creative careers (De Bernard et al, 2024). HEIs also play a central role: Comunian and Faggian (2014) highlighted that in specific CCIs' sectors, such as in the case of music, the institution from which the student graduates dramatically influences his or her employment outcome.…”