Governance

Company Information

Performing Arts Forum is the trading name of Theatre Forum CLG incorporated as a company limited by guarantee without share capital. Its registered company number is 370469 and it was incorporated under the Companies Act 1963 to 2013 in April 2003. As the objects of the company are charitable in nature, it has charitable status and its CHY number is 16087. It is registered on the Charities Regulatory Authority register of charities.
The organisation complies with all regulatory requirements and operates in accordance with its governing document The Constitution, adopted in 2016. The main objectives of the company are to support, develop and promote all aspects of performing arts on the island of Ireland, to provide a resource organisation to all members of the company and to raise the standards of arts leadership, management and governance through the provision of services to members.

Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum is governed by a  Board of Directors. Their service on the board is voluntary or unpaid. The directors and executives place a high value on governance standards and have set out on the journey to adopt the Governance Code.

Funding and Finance

Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum receives Arts Council strategic award funding, income from membership subscriptions and ticket sales, and some sponsorship.

The company keeps detailed books and records of accounts and maintains strict financial controls. It is transparent in all its financial affairs. Each year, it prepares detailed Financial Statements for the previous calendar year.

Review our recent financial statements:

• 2022 Financial Statements
• 2021 Financial Statements
• 2020 Financial Statements
• 2019 Financial Statements
• 2018 Financial Statements

As the company is a charity, these financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014, FRS102 and also the Statements of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities and not-for profit entities as developed in the UK in 2005 and currently accepted as best practice in Ireland.

Company Policies

The company has up-to-date employment, equality, dignity at work and health and safety policies in place and shares relevant policy information and documentation with members.

EDI Policy

Performing Arts Forum’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy

Introduction

Performing Arts Forum’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy and Action Plan have been developed after a period of consultation with the organisation’s staff, Board of Directors and members representing the voices of freelance artists and arts workers, arts organisations, Theatres and Arts Centres as well as community members. Consultations identified three key strategic goals, which are detailed further in the sections that follow.

Performing Arts Forum EDI Policy

Performing Arts Forum is committed to promoting the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion and integrating them into its structures, actions and culture. The goal of our policy and action plan is to embed EDI values and actions at all levels of our organisation and in the programmes we develop and support.  We believe that the performing arts thrive through a plurality of experiences, viewpoints and approaches.

We are fully committed to our legal obligations under the Equality Acts (1998-2015), the Equal Status Acts (2000-2018) and Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 (Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty). In line with the Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights and Diversity (EHRD) Policy and Strategy, we commit to putting proactive policy measures in place to promote equality of opportunity, access and outcomes regardless of gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community. In accord with the Arts Council’s EHRD Policy and Strategy, we also note the ground of socio-economic status as a further basis for which equality of opportunity, access and outcomes must be guaranteed.   We recognise and appreciate the intersectional nature of identity.

We believe that everyone should develop to their full potential and should not be treated less favourably due to any personal characteristic. We are aware that barriers to participation have prevented artists, audiences and participants from fully enjoying opportunities to engage with and participate in the performing arts; we therefore have established procedures to address discrimination and maintain an ongoing commitment to tackle existing and perceived barriers. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion seeks to recognise, respect and value differences in order to promote an inclusive culture for members and all the people who work with Theatre Forum and who avail of our services and opportunities.

Strategic Goal 1: To be a key resource for the performing arts community on EDI matters. To do this by increasing the knowledge, skills and awareness of members and stakeholders.
Under this goal, we commit to identifying the needs of our members in relation to EDI matters, securing and sharing the resources to build knowledge and awareness in the sector. Among the actions planned, we intend to provide a safe space for members of the performing arts community to voice their concerns and challenges, share good practice and recommendations around EDI matters

Strategic Goal 2: To remove barriers for artists to enjoy full participation in development opportunities led by Theatre Forum.
Under this goal, we commit to developing mechanisms to enhance the accessibility of artist development programmes and providing clarity in relation to the accessibility of online and live events and of residencies. We will introduce mechanisms to ensure increased representation of voices that have not been included across various strands of our work, including in the selection processes for our developmental programmes.

Strategic Goal 3: To be an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation.
Under this goal, we have focused on promoting diversity in our governance and recruitment processes, as well as building capacity within our team on equality, diversity and inclusion. In order to ensure our EDI Policy and Action Plan remain a ‘living’ document, we will ensure that consultation with all relevant stakeholders is conducted on a regular basis.

Implementation and Evaluation of EDI Policy Action Plan

The implementation of Performing Arts Forum’s EDI Policy Action Plan will be led by the Director of the organisation, with the overall team responsible for its delivery.  Oversight will rest with the Board’s EDI Committee, with quarterly reporting of progress scheduled. The EDI Policy and Action Plan’s progress will be evaluated at its midpoint in 2026, and again at its conclusion in 2028, alongside Performing Arts Forum’s organisational strategy.

Staff Remuneration

In keeping with high transparency standards as well as funders’ reporting requirements, staff remuneration is set out in each year’s Notes to the Financial Statements.

Comments and Complaints

Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum welcomes comments and feedback and also undertakes to deal with any complaints. A number of options available to members to make a comment or a complaint.

In person: Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum, Festival House, 12 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

• By e-mail: irma@performingartsforum.ie
• By letter: Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum, Festival House, 12 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 EH42.
• By phone: +353 (0)1 6778779

Theatre Forum CLG trading as Performing Arts Forum will look into your complaint within 30 working days of receiving it. Should it take us any longer to look into all the issues raised in your complaint, you will be notified with an update on what is happening. If you are not satisfied with the recommendations made or the way the complaint was dealt with, you will be directed to a board director of the company.