How do you get involved arts administration and later arts management?
When I was at university studying Theatre, I did sort of lean into arts management. Every artist needs to be a “Jack of All Trades” in that you need to learn how to do everything. You need to know how to organise an event, how to book other acts, how to work out finances, promote the work. As well as performing I always loved stage management.
During my university course, I did a bit of tech, event management, things like that. I learned the ropes and then I realised that there were very few opportunities for people like me in Northern Ireland. So after I graduated, I moved to Canada, walked into the Stratford Festival of Ontario at 20 years of age, and asked them if they would give me a job and, remarkably, they said yes.
What happened then?
I stayed there for one year, the limit of my student visa, and then returned home to NI. I ended up in local government in Lisburn as a Junior Manager in the Arts Service.
I was still performing, but I realised pretty quickly that I needed, and could have, both worlds. I could perform, and tour, acting and singing mainly, and I could work making arts events happen. I was making money which was crucial, but still able to do the things I was passionate about.
In many ways I don’t see the distinction between the two, performing and organising to allow people to perform. You need people in the background organising, promoting, making sure things run relatively smoothly so that the artists and performers can do what they do.
How long did you work for the council in Lisburn?
I worked there for ten years. After that, I worked freelance as an events manager and I ended up as the Development Manager for the Belfast International Festival. That was a very challenging but rewarding role. I worked at the festival for two years and it was a lot of work, managing funding, curating funded projects. I was involved in managing a very large festival from start to finish.
I met and worked with a lot of people in the arts scene locally so I really got to know the industry in Belfast and beyond. I gained a lot of experience given that it was a very important and iconic festival.
And now you are the director of the Imagine Festival?
Yes, I am the Festival Director for the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics.
