National Institute of Dramatic Art
    (6 reviews)
    Unclaimed

    Company Profile

    Company overview

    Industry

    Education, Training & Professional Development
    NIDA is Australia’s leading institute for education and training in the dramatic arts.Our programs respond to the rapidly evolving global arts and culture environment and encompass a broad range of accredited courses across different disciplines, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees and diplomas. We also offer an extensive program of public short courses for adults and children through NIDA Open and our highly successful corporate training program, NIDA Corporate.NIDA is a powerhouse for the development of Australia’s creative and cultural sector, challenging current thinking and practice and producing graduates who will be innovators and leaders. Our sought-after alumni are working all over the world on stage, on screen, behind the scenes and leading major events and organisations.Who we areThe National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s leading centre for education and training in the performing arts. Our team of educators is made up of seasoned professionals with proven expertise across the full range of dramatic disciplines including acting, writing, staging, movement, voice, costume and production design.Under the guidance of NIDA tutors, and the leadership of the board of directors and academic board, NIDA has grown to become a world leader, with a highly-regarded program of higher education courses, open short courses, school-holiday programs and corporate training. For more information about governance and operations see Annual Reports.Our approachWhether we’re teaching children to tell stories, professionals to speak publicly or talented adults to become professional actors, our aim is to provide an immersive creative environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Find out more about our practice-based approach to education and the NIDA experience.What we deliverFor those wanting to start a career in the creative arts, we offer full-time fully-accredited bachelor degrees in Acting, Costume, Design for Performance, Properties and Objects (props), Staging, and Technical Theatre and Stage Management, masters degrees in Cultural Leadership, Directing and Writing for Performance and diploma courses in Musical Theatre, Live Production and Technical Services and Specialist Make-up Services.We also make our training available to the public with term classes, short courses, school-holiday programs, evening and weekend classes. Our NIDA Open programs are designed for children, young people and adults and we also run Corporate workshops for business professionals.Our vibrant schools program allows teachers and schools across Australia to access NIDA’s educational expertise and training philosophy through customised workshops and professional development programs.The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s leading performing arts school and its graduates are highly regarded throughout the creative and entertainment industries. In over 50 years, NIDA has grown from a single acting class to a provider of hundreds of courses for both the professional and the passionate student.Source: this is an extract from the company’s own website.

    Reviews overview

    2.86 ratings in total
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    50%
    Rate salary as high or average
    50%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends

    What’s it like working at National Institute of Dramatic Art?

    AI summary of recent reviews

    Employees at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) appreciate the opportunity to watch complimentary student performances and be part of the students' futures. They also value the creative environment and the prestige of working at a world-renowned institution.

    However, there are concerns about the top-heavy management structure, with too many layers of leadership leading to micromanagement and lack of transparency. Some employees feel that departments are under-resourced and understaffed, impacting their ability to carry out operations effectively. There is also a perception that the NIDA Board lacks understanding of the organisation, leading to poor governance and procedural issues. While the creative environment is seen as a positive, there are also concerns about a culture of inertia and accepting mediocrity from management. Additionally, some employees feel that pay is poor, with NIDA relying on its prestigious name to attract talent.

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    Recent reviews

    1.0
    Mid/low Level
    Nov 2024
    Kensington NSW 2033
    Staff on the ground go above and beyond everyday, working together to achieve amazing things, but are overworked, stressed, and the energy feels exhausted. NIDA could be amazing if leadership were shrunk and replaced with staff on the ground.
    The good thingsClose to public transport You get to be a part of students future
    The challengesTop heavy organisation. 2 Boards, Executive, Leadership….so many managers throughout organisation. Top down micro-management, secret conversations and lack of transparency. Departments are under resourced and understaffed. Management work in a bubble, rarely walking around the building and are out of touch. The key to a successful organisation is empowering your staff and employing big enough teams to carry out the day to day operations, teaching and support. Education should feel more collaborative and less like a corporate city office
    4.0
    NA
    Mar 2020
    former employee
    Not too bad
    The good thingsWatch complimentary shows performed by the students.
    The challengesPeople are quite set in their own ways.
    1.0
    Operations Department
    May 2019
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    I was not included in discussions that impacted my work and had no access to Board members and even though the Board Chair was aware nothing was done.
    The good thingsGreat people work under very trying circumstances.
    The challengesThe NIDA Board does not demonstrate an understanding of the organisation and as a result governance is very poor and procedural fairness is not understood . Very few members of the NIDA Board have done the AICD course in effective governance . Very disappointing .
    Ratings for National Institute of Dramatic Art are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines
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