Staging Change: Where Art Meets Action

Where art meets action - a hands-on TDNI advocacy training series for arts workers to find their voice and collaborate to drive real change.

Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) invite artists, dancers and creatives working freelance or within organisations from across Northern Ireland to join our new advocacy training series, Staging Change: Where Art Meets Action.

Running January to March 2026, this practical training led by Sara McCracken (theprclub.co.uk) with guest speakers equips artists, creative workers, freelancers and organisations with the tools to influence local policymakers and elected representatives, shape public discourse and strengthen the sector’s collective voice toward meaningful change.

If you are passionate about the arts, our jobs and sector, but not sure how to turn that into action, Staging Change explores where we fit into the bigger political picture, and how we can work together to ensure our creative voices develop a more confident, connected and influential arts sector.

Together, we will look at how decisions get made (from council level right up to Stormont), and how to tell our stories in ways that get understood and heard, and how to take small, practical steps toward stronger impact and lasting change.

It’s time to step up and skill up collectively, to bring our creativity centre stage to start imagining how the arts can help build a better Northern Ireland.

About the Staging Change Series

Staging Change: Where Art Meets Action, is a five-part TDNI training series on advocacy and influence for the arts.

Each session builds on the last, combining practical learning with real-world application. From an introduction to public affairs and policy, storytelling and influence, to collective advocacy, political engagement and campaign strategy.

Key dates:

SESSION 1

Setting the scene: introduction to public affairs; political & policy landscape in NI

Wednesday 14th January

9.30 am- 4.30 pm, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

SESSION 2

Building Your Message: storytelling & sector impact

Wednesday 21st January

9.30 am - 1.00 pm, Online

SESSION 3

Collective Advocacy

Wednesday 4th February

9.30 am - 1.00 pm, Online

SESSION 4

Political Engagement Skills

Wednesday 25th February

9.30 am - 1.00 pm, Online

SESSION 5

Campaign Strategy & Collaboration

Wednesday 11th March

9.30 am- 4.30 pm, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

Prices:

Non-members and organisations: £50 (for all 5 sessions)

TDNI individual members: £25

TDNI is committed to keeping Staging Change affordable and accessible. Our pricing reflects the different capacities within our arts community. If cost is a barrier, please get in touch - we want everyone who wishes to take part to be able to do so.

All discounted bookings will be verified against current membership status.

Thank you to our colleagues and partners who contributed to the development of this programme.

TDNI is principally funded by Arts Council of Northern and Belfast City Council. This programme is supported by Halifax Foundation and delivered by Sara McCracken.