THE ARTIST SUPPORT SYSTEM
Stages Ensemble Training
Stages offers free and regular actor-training to young professional actors. Training is provided by both local and international theatre/film experts. Financial support is provided to artists to travel to Colombo for the training
Language Training for artists
Free language classes for artists to improve their communication in English, Sinhala, Tamil and Sign Language.
Research into the Arts
Research by educationists and psychologists into the impact of the arts on children and youth. (since 2021)
Workshop Facilitation Training for artists
Stages offers free training, funding, network support, guidance and job opportunities to local artists to who in turn run free weekly workshops for children and youth in their communities. (We currently have 14 such groups running in Colombo, Welimada, Jaffna, Bogawanthalawa, Anuradhapura and Galle.
Artist Internships and jobs
Monthly renumeration for aspiring and established artists to work within a theatre company (STG). We currently employ over 25 artists (either full time or part time) on monthly renumerations.
Other stG initiatives & infrastructure
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A free working space made available within Colombo for local artists to meet, write, rehearse. (since 2020)
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Subsidised housing provided to artists living and working in Colombo. (since 2015)
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Created by artists themselves to support fellow artists in the development of artwork and arts training overseas. (since 2019)
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Training, work opportunities, space and networks for Sri Lankan writers for theatre and film. (since 2022)
Within a wider culture of no support for the arts, Stages provides local artists with spaces to work, free and regular training, exposure to local and international networks, commissions and employment.
It is crucial to retain artists in the country and let our art world thrive.