Originally published here.

This research project examines British Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)theatre companies through the lens of arts management, focusing on the diasporic community, cultural identity and funding policy. It examines the challenges faced by BAME art and theatre companies as well as barriers regarding funding polices and access to mainstream art culture. An attempt is made to fill the gaps in the funding policy and contribute to the discussion of underrepresentation and underfunding. This research adopts a qualitative, descriptive and historical philosophy to examinethe marginalisation of BAME theatres and underfunding in the arts and culture sector. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (and/or questionnaires) with BAME leading theatre organisations, combined with secondary theory, provide a balanced conclusion to this growing field.

Since the 1980s, many funding initiatives have been put in place by the Arts Council and other funding bodies to help the sustainability, inclusivity and development of BAME theatre. BAME arts and culture is still heavily reliant on public funding despite these funding initiatives, but they continue to run the risk of defunding or funding cuts. This research project confirms that BAME theatre companies require funds and investment in order to grow and make a real difference to their long-term future and self-sustainability. Previous funding structures did not consider BAME arts because the focus was on funding excellent quality, in other words, traditional high arts created by the middle and upper classes. The working-class migrant identity did not fit Britain’s traditional social structure; therefore, BAME arts were marginalised and underfunded  his project highlights the importance (and necessity) of promoting philanthropic funding within the BAME community in order to support the development and self- sustainability of theatre companies. This can be achieved by linking charities to successful retail businesses, music artists, sports and individual donations.

This research project set out to understand the challenges that BAME theatre companies regarding funding, access to mainstream art culture and self- sustainability. This study focuses on three keys factors to answer the research questions set out in the introduction. The research method was a combination of academic theories and interviews with representatives of BAME theatre organisations. The collected evidence shows that the key factors impact on BAME theatre to this day. The reason behind these issues is linked to the first migrants, the diaspora into Britain, cultural identity and the previous arts funding policies that reserved funding for middle- and upper-class practitioners.

It is recommended that philanthropic funding be promoted within the BAME community to support the development and self-sustainability of theatres. This can be achieved by creating charities linked to successful retail businesses, music artists, sports and through individual donations. It is essential to teach BAME arts in order to create awareness for the next generation of professional leaders and artists and also provide a legacy for BAME arts. In order to reduce BAME arts culture's heavy reliance on public funding for its existence, BAME theatre companies require funds to invest in long-term growth and self-sustainability.

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