Who we are
The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is Australia’s national dramatic arts educator and innovator. NIDA’s unparalleled rigour, practice-based learning, connections to industry and culture of innovation have produced some of the world’s most influential and in-demand storytellers across stage, screen and new digital platforms.
NIDA offers training in the full suite of skills necessary to create and deliver entertainment experiences for audiences – theatre, film, television, dance, opera, commercials, musicals, festivals, live events, interactive gaming and more.
NIDA alumni are actors, directors, writers, set and costume designers, lighting and sound designers, set builders, costume and prop makers, special effects artists, world builders, and stage and production managers. They win Academy Awards, design games, ceremonies, exhibitions and events, they lead arts companies, write our stories, fill our screens, work live music gigs, crew stage, film and television sets, manage arts centres and create start-up XR businesses.
A not for profit, NIDA was founded in 1958.
Explore our courses
Discover our range of vocational studies, undergraduate & graduate degrees
NIDA’s present & future
What we offer
Our online and offline accredited courses include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as vocational diplomas. For those seeking to learn for a brief period, we provide open short courses. Younger students can begin their exploration of the performing arts through our school program.
NIDA also offers unique corporate training and commercial partnerships for businesses and leaders, generating independent revenue streams.
NIDA graduates gain access to international networks and industry links that ensure successful future careers in theatre, dance and opera companies, festivals events, film, television and games production.
Our Locations
NIDA offers courses in Sydney and Melbourne, with our main campus located in Kensington, Sydney. We are home to a range of state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance venues.
Want to know more?
Have a question about our courses, upcoming performances or anything else? Reach out to us by phone or email, and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on upcoming performances and courses.
Our Supporters
As a not-for-profit organisation, NIDA acknowledges the generous support of our donors, corporate partners and sponsors who assist us in providing the best teaching resources, training opportunities and educational experiences.
NIDA receives funding from the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and is a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence (Arts8): an initiative between the national performing arts training organisations and the Australian Government committed to providing unique and high-level training for emerging artists.