We are very sad to have to announce that the Theatre Education Network (TEN) will close on Friday 31 March 2006. After a review of the pilot phase, from April 2004-March 2006, Arts Council England decided earlier this month that it would not continue funding TEN beyond that date. TEN in its current form must therefore close, and we will be refunding all current paid TEN members the balance of unexpired membership fees in the next few days.
Ever since we were offered the contract to create TEN, we have striven to find ways of ensuring TEN's long-term survival, and we are very hopeful that other arrangements can now be put in place to ensure the continuation of TEN's work, albeit under a new structure. Arts Council England has now agreed that Arts Intelligence can continue to hold the TEN website, and can pursue negotiations with other organisations that may be in a position to provide a secure home for the future of TEN. We have agreed to continue to host the website for a short period of time during which we hope to find a new way of supporting the work of theatre educators.
With regard to practical issues, whilst the website will continue to function for the time-being, TEN itself is closing on 31 March 2006. As a member of TEN on 31 March 2006, you may continue to make use of the website after this date, using your usual login access details. However, please note that we are unable to offer further support or advice after 31 March and cannot permit the uploading of new profiles, job advertisements and other documents until such time as we have resolved the longer-term future of the website.
Please be reassured that the three of us – Catherine, Liz and Brian – are determined that support for the work of theatre educators continues in the future, and we are making every effort to ensure that their views will continue to be represented through an effective forum. There are a number of issues that need to be resolved now before we can move forward, but we will contact you again as soon as we have any news.
Finally we would like to thank all the individuals and organisations who have assisted on the Steering Group, hosted meetings at their venues, facilitated workshops, written articles or submitted useful material to the website – we are all indebted to you. Most of all, thank you again for all your support and involvement through your membership and participation within TEN.
Best wishes
Liz Hill and Brian Whitehead, Directors, Arts Intelligence Limited
Catherine Rose, Project Director, Theatre Education Network
Closure of TEN