TeaterAlliansen - a solution for mobility and security in the performing arts field
TeaterAlliansen (TA) was established to meet the publicly supported performing arts sector’s need for flexibility, security, and development for freelance actors. In addition to employing actors, TA organizes free courses, workshops, and seminars for actors, theatre directors, costume designers, and set designers.
TA operates as a limited company and is primarily funded through a government operational grant. The company is jointly owned by Svensk Scenkonst, Fackförbundet Scen & Film, and Trygghetsrådet TRS. TA is not a staffing agency and does not produce performing arts.
TA offers established freelance actors a conditional base employment. Through this employment, actors receive economic and social security as well as a continuous workplace affiliation. The criteria for being hired and remaining employed at TA are regulated by a collective agreement between Fackförbundet Scen & Film and Svensk Scenkonst.
Employees take leave from their positions to work as actors and return to their employment at TA between assignments. To maintain their employment, actors must meet the professional work requirements within their field.
TA organizes free professional development opportunities for established freelance actors, directors, set designers, and costume designers who wish to expand their skills and network with colleagues. TA works to support freelancers in their professional development and to help them secure more assignments. The opportunity for freelancers to participate in professional development through theatres is limited. TA thus fulfills an important function by addressing a need that industry employers are unable to provide a solution for.
Since TA was founded in 1999, two additional performing arts alliances have been established in Sweden: Dansalliansen in 2006 and Musikalliansen in 2008—all three are pioneering solutions that continue to be an essential part of Swedish performing arts. Actors, dancers and musicians that are employed by any of these alliances, must have worked with art that receive public cultural funding in Sweden. In Norway, Skuespiller- og Danseralliansen was founded in 2012, inspired by the Swedish model.