The Wales Association for the Performing Arts (WAPA) is the umbrella body for the professional performing arts organisations in Wales, representing theatre, opera and dance.
What WAPA Does
WAPA’s main role is to promote the professional performing arts by raising the profile of the sector in as many ways as possible. This includes holding general meetings with high calibre speakers, arranging seminars on specific subjects, producing briefing papers on important policy issues and contributing to consultations from national, regional and sector specific sources.
In 2002 WAPA won the Stage newspaper’s special award for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Theatre at the Barclays Theatre Award ceremony at the Royal Court Theatre. The presentation was made to the WAPA Chair Chris Ryde by actress Nicola McAuliffe.
This has become crucial following the establishment of the National Assembly and the Association has been actively briefing politicians since the Assembly’s work began. WAPA has regular face to face meetings with the Arts Council of Wales and has become nationally recognised as the voice of the performing arts in Wales.
WAPA’s success in representing the professional arts in Wales was recognised at the 2002 Barclay’s Theatre Awards at the Royal Court in London where the Association picked up the Stage Newspaper Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Regional Theatre.
WAPA has also become a significant training provider and arranges courses to meet the needs of the membership including: Health and Safety, First Aid, Finance, Stress Management.
Ethos
How do the performing arts connect with the rest of Wales?
The professional performing arts:
- celebrate the creative diversity of Wales and its people
- reflect a confident and dynamic Wales to Europe and the rest of the World
- nurture the health and well-being of the people in Wales
- fulfil the aims and objectives of National Assembly policy
- provide a significant contribution to the Economic Development of Wales by creating jobs and attracting inward investment
Why should Wales invest in the professional performing arts?
Because the performing arts:
- bring benefits to the people of Wales. They change people’s lives, widen their social environment, expand and entertain, lead to self development and strengthen confidence.
- bring benefits to local communities. The arts sensitise people to change; open eyes to different possibilities: challenge preconceptions and stimulate innovation. Professional companies work with many groups promoting citizenship amongst the audiences participants and the artists themselves. They work with children, adolescents, people with learning disabilities, the homeless, refugees, prisoners and others who through their involvement gain a sense of worth and self expression.
- show Wales at its most inclusive. Over 60% of adults in Wales attend or take part in arts activities. 21.6% of adults in Wales attend plays once a year or more.
- bring benefits to the economy of Wales. The annual turnover generated by the arts and cultural industries is £1.1 billion according to the Economic Impact Study.
- improve education, training, skills, and employment opportunities. Performances and workshops in schools and community centres introduce children and young people to the arts. Over 100,000 children experience live art through performances and through participation.
How WAPA Helps
Membership is open to anyone with a professional interest in the performing arts in Wales both individuals and organisations. Members benefit from a range of services including:
- subsidised training events
- essential up-to-date information on a regular basis
- annual residential conference
- opportunities to hear key speakers and contribute to national debate
- the chance to meet, network and share information and good practice with colleagues
Subscriptions run from April to April and current rates are a follows:
| Individual membership | £15.00 |
| Organisations with turnover UNDER £50,000 | £ 30.00 |
| Organisations with turnover BETWEEN £50,000 and £75,000 | £ 65.00 |
| Organisations with turnover BETWEEN £75,000 and £100,000 | £130.00 |
| Organisations with turnover OVER £100,000 | £210.00 |
A profile of the current membership can be found on our Members Page.
Contacting WAPA
WAPA can be contacted as follows:
By post at PO BOX 443 Cardiff CF11 9YT
By e-mail at waparts@hotmail.com
Chris Ryde (Chair) O2920 397971, or email: cryde@cardiff-equity.org.uk
Patti Wallis (Administrator) email: patti.wallis@ntlworld.com