Knowledge Exchange: Pathways into the Industry

Youth theatres foster a passion for creativity, often inspiring young people to follow their interests into professional work. These regional in-person Knowledge Exchange sessions will focus on mapping local opportunities for your young participants to develop skills as they step into the professional world.

YTAS will facilitate the conversation alongside local partners, to support each network to identify existing employability schemes, projects, and opportunities to signpost to your participants, or to identify any gaps you might be interested in filling in the future.  

What’s a Knowledge Exchange? 

Building on previous exchange events and practical Swap Shops, our series of Knowledge Exchange events are facilitated meetings about a specific topic or trend that we have identified in the sector.  

They are a space to come together and share knowledge in all forms, whether that’s discussing projects you’re involved in, offering a sneak-peak at policies you’re writing, sharing processes and admin top tips, or making new connections across the sector.  

Knowledge Exchange sessions won’t aim to solve the issues presented or invent new projects, although they may lead to actions for Future Us... by attending, you’ll be helping YTAS to identify further ways to support and advocate for the amazing work of the youth theatre sector.

Who is it for?

Knowledge Exchange events are open to all YTAS members, those representing organisations as well as freelancers. This Knowledge Exchange is also open to members of Creative Edinburgh. You will be asked to share details of your membership in the sign up form.

The conversations will likely centre around topics which are relevant to managers or those responsible for implementing change within their organisations, but we welcome a wide range of knowledge and experience.

There is no minimum or maximum number of attendees – whoever comes along are the right people to come along and we will hold everyone’s knowledge and experience with the same importance.

YTAS staff will host and facilitate each meeting, document the conversations, and share notes at the end. We have programmed the first six topics for this year (with further dates to add for some topics), but we welcome ideas for future exchange.

Meetings will be a mix of virtual gatherings as well as regionally-focused conversations. If you have a venue and are interested in hosting a Knowledge Exchange in your region, get in touch!

Dates for Knowledge Exchange: Pathways into the Industry

Aberdeen: Aberdeen Performing Arts, Tuesday 30 September 2025, 1-3pm

Edinburgh: Creative Edinburgh, Code Base, Tuesday 12 January, 4-5pm

Other Knowledge Exchange Events

Knowledge Exchange: Recruiting Young People, online, Tue 23 September 2025 

Knowledge Exchange: Staff Support and Wellbeing, Aberdeen Performing Arts, Tue 27 January 2026

Knowledge Exchange: Staff Support and Wellbeing, online, Tue 24 February 2026

Knowledge Exchange: Good Recruitment Practices for Staff and Freelancers, online, Thu 10 March 2026

Knowledge Exchange: Youth Consultation and Boards, online, Wed 13 May 2026 

This is a safe space where all identities are welcome and valued

YTAS strives to create and hold events and spaces where everyone feels welcome and the safety of others is valued. This commitment applies to all our online and in-person services, activities, and communication channels.

We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour which creates feelings of unease, discomfort, offence, embarrassment, humiliation, or intimidation, whether intentional or not. This includes but is not limited to; transphobia, homo or biphobia, racism, ableism, sexism, or class discrimination. For more information about YTAS' commitments to safety and best practice, visit our website: https://ytas.org.uk/safe-spaces-statement/