Performing Arts
Using the Internet
As a research tool the internet should be approached with some caution, but it can be a good source for grey literature.
Most people use search engines when looking for information on the web.
However:
- It can only search what is sometimes called the 'surface web'. It cannot reach many academic articles which are usually held in subscription only databases - the sort your library purchases - so you may miss a lot of useful information.
- It has no editorial function – it simply finds things. What it does find can be biased, out of date or often just wrong.
- It may bring you the largest number of results – but they are often irrelevant or poor quality. Quantity is no substitute for quality.
Have a look at this Quality of Information section from our Library Skills Guide to learn more about evaluating the information you find.
Here are some good quality websites specific to English that you may find interesting or useful.....
ArtsAdmin
Artsadmin creates the conditions for art to explore the spaces in-between. Work and projects explore the areas between social and environmental justice, the hyper-local and the international.
Black Theatre Live was a pioneering national consortium of 8 regional theatres led by Tara Arts, committed to effecting change nationally for Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic touring theatre through a sustainable 3-year programme of national touring, structural support and audience development. Tara Arts continues to maintain this website to profile tours, companies and venues who programme touring theatre by Black, Asian Minority Ethnic artists.
The British Council’s Theatre and Dance team. Sharing contemporary UK performance and developing relationships with other countries through projects such as tours, workshops and collaborations.
Deafinitely Theatre is the first deaf launched and deaf led professional theatre company in the UK producing quality bilingual theatre in British Sign Language and spoken English.
Disability Arts International is a website and regular digital newsletter developed and coordinated by the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
Future Histories is a cultural heritage organisation and independent archive for African, Asian and Caribbean performing arts in the UK. Currently housed at Goldsmiths, University of London, Future Histories archives include more than fifty productions.
Live Art Development Agency (LADA)
Publicly funded arts organisation and registered charity. LADA provides professional advice for artists as well as producing events and publications intended to enhance the understanding of and access to Live Art.
A Trust to carry Merce Cunningham's legacy into the future.
One Dance UK is the sector support organisation leading the way to a stronger, more vibrant and diverse dance sector.
PARIP — Practice as Research in Performance — was a five-year project (2001 - 2006) directed by Professor Baz Kershaw and the Department of Drama: Theatre, Film, Television at the University of Bristol.
People Dancing is the development and membership organisation for community and participatory dance, driving forward inclusion and excellence through professional development, resources & safeguarding services, specialist programmes & networks.
A collection of weblinks for the Performing Arts.
Total Theatre Magazine celebrates and supports physical and visual theatre and performance, and gives space and voice to artists working in less well documented performance genres.