Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) supports 30 delegates to attend Performing Arts Forum’s Belfast Gathering
Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) was delighted to support 30 delegates, including members and staff, to attend the Belfast Gathering 2026, Performing Arts Forum’s (PAF) annual conference. These funded places helped ensure that independent practitioners, freelancers and those working within smaller organisations could participate alongside colleagues from across the performing arts sector.
Hosted across the Lyric Theatre and Queen’s University Belfast, the two-day event brought together almost 400 artists, arts workers, producers, venues and organisations from across the island of Ireland, providing an opportunity to share ideas and explore some of the key issues currently shaping the sector.
“I had a bursary place through TDNI which was the only reason I was able to attend as an independent practitioner. The bursaries are vital in ensuring a mix of delegates and not just those from larger organisations.”
— Belfast Gathering attendee supported through a TDNI bursary (anonymous)
PAF and TDNI have been long-standing collaborators, working together on initiatives that encourage knowledge exchange and professional development across the performing arts sector. Supporting attendance at the Belfast Gathering reflects a shared commitment to creating opportunities for arts workers to build connections and engage with peers.
Across discussions, performances and networking opportunities, several themes emerged. Conversations explored the importance of accessible creative infrastructure, audience development, artist sustainability, gender equity, cross-border collaboration and the need to ensure that artists from all backgrounds can participate fully in the sector.
A particularly strong theme throughout the event was the value of connection, reflecting on the importance of sharing knowledge, building relationships and learning from learning from a diverse range of experiences and perspectives.
The programme also encouraged participants to think critically about the future of the sector: how audiences are changing, how artists and organisations can adapt to new challenges, and what is needed to create a more sustainable and inclusive performing arts ecology.
Outside of the conference sessions, opportunities to meet new collaborators, reconnect with peers and exchange ideas highlighted the importance of creating spaces such as this one, for the sector to come together.
While many of the challenges discussed are not new, the Belfast Gathering reinforced the need for collective dialogue, shared learning and continued collaboration in shaping the future of the performing arts.
We would like to thank PAF, the speakers and everyone who contributed to two inspiring days of discussion, reflection and connection in Belfast.