Developing a Professional Theatre Management Framework for State Arts Councils in North Central Nigeria

State arts councils in North Central Nigeria manage performance infrastructure and support cultural programming, yet most operate without formal theatre management frameworks, limiting organisational effectiveness and accountability. This study developed a professional theatre management framework for state arts councils in Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa States. A professional framework development methodology was applied, incorporating structured consultations with 24 arts council administrators (4 per state), review of international theatre management standards from the International Federation of Arts Councils, and documentary analysis of existing state arts legislation. Consultations confirmed that all six arts councils lacked written strategic programming plans, that performance venue maintenance budgets were absent or inadequate in five states, and that no council maintained performance attendance data. The framework developed encompasses five governance pillars: strategic programming, financial management, venue standards, artist partnership protocols, and public accountability reporting. Performance quality indicators and annual reporting templates are specified for each pillar. Expert review by eight arts administration specialists confirmed the framework's operational feasibility within state government budget constraints. The study recommends the framework be formally adopted by the North Central States Forum on Culture and Arts, piloted in Kwara State in Year 1 with NCAC technical support, and supported through a Federal Government arts administration capacity building initiative targeting state-level arts councils.

Keywords: theatre management, state arts councils, North Central Nigeria, arts administration, cultural governance