The service was launched in Birmingham with the help of magician Fey Presto. The helpline has been financed by learndirect, the national training advice provider. metier chief executive Duncan Sones said: "The advice line is a major investment in the arts sector. Our priority now is to ensure that the advice line has full information on the training opportunities in this sector."

NAWE and the New Writing & Literature Consortium are key sources of information for the new service.