The Stage

IEAM to establish student membership

Published Tuesday 16 March 2004 at 10:55 by Sally Bramley

New president of the Institute of Entertainment and Arts Management Glenys Gill has revealed plans to establish student membership, offering hands-on experience and mentoring for those on performance management courses.

Gill, who took over from predecessor John Roberts at the end of December, said a questionnaire outlining the proposal had been sent out to members, which include Clear Channel Entertainment and the Ambassador Theatre Group, asking them what they think and how they could be involved in the scheme.

Said Gill: “I feel we are an institution that needed to come into the 21st century in a big way. We should be using our assets and that is the wealth of experience among our members. Students should be able to have some sort of in-road into the profession.

“While they are on college courses, people can learn a lot academically but what is really needed is hands-on experience and we can offer a wealth of that. We also have a lot of retired members who might like to mentor young people. It is the right road to be going down. We are securing our future.”

Under the proposed scheme, Gill, who is artistic director of Taunton’s Brewhouse Theatre, suggested that venues should make links with universities and colleges to offer apprenticeships, where experience rather than qualifications was the main focus.

The IEAM represents live entertainment and performing arts management nationally and promotes professional conduct within the industry as well as running training courses for members.

From this week, it will be holding its bi-monthly council meetings all over the country, rather than just at the Dominion Theatre in London where it has been based.

The new president said she was hoping to find speakers to come forward and give talks at open forum sessions, which will be held after the council sessions.

Gill concluded: “As an asset we are in a prime position to be able to offer a stepping stone, both to students and current arts managers.”