The Association of Performing Arts Collections (APAC) is the membership organisation for professionals, specialists, and other individuals working with or interested in performing arts heritage in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Founded in 1979 as the Theatre Information Group London, APAC became the UK’s Subject Specialist Network for performing arts in 2005. In 2018, APAC became a registered charity and an Affiliate Group of the Archives & Records Association of the UK and Ireland (ARA). APAC offers joint membership with SIBMAS, the International Association of Libraries, Museums, Archives, and Documentation Centres of the Performing Arts.
Our members are collectively responsible for most of the UK’s performing arts heritage and include:
APAC’s vision is to be recognised as the leading membership body for the performing arts heritage community in the UK and Ireland, giving members a voice and inspiring the widest possible participation in the enrichment of all performing arts heritage collections.
APAC works towards these main objectives:
APAC offers events for members and non-members on a wide range of topics related to performing arts heritage. Past events have focused on areas as diverse as partnerships, collection users, volunteers, costumes, photographs, oral history, and audio-visual materials. We share our knowledge through event reports and encourage best practice by creating resources.
Our regular members’ meetings feature tours and guest speakers and provide an opportunity for members to discuss issues, share ideas, and exchange knowledge. APAC also convenes working groups on topics of interest (for example, digital preservation) and facilitates collaborative projects.
APAC’s email discussion forum allows members to seek advice, share best practice, publicise activities, pass on enquiries, and advertise vacancies. Members can also take advantage of APAC’s social media platforms to broaden the reach of their work.
