Confidence conference aims to boost business for creatives
19 March 2018
A free ‘confidence conference’ designed to boost business for theatre creatives is being held in Buxton this week.
Theatre makers and producers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to sign up to the two-day course, which takes place at the University of Derby’s Buxton campus on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March.
The ‘Business Confidence Weekend’, hosted by Derby Theatre, aims to help theatre makers and producers in the region develop their business acumen and boost their bottom line.
It is being run by Big House - Derby Theatre’s business support programme which provides a wide range of targeted business support for performing arts professionals and companies in the D2N2 area.
The event will cover strategic planning, company development, and leadership and management skills.
The first day will include a practical workshop hosted by Louise Blackwell (pictured above), an independent arts producer and co-founder of Fuel, a £1 million turnover producing company based in London. Louise, who will share her experiences of starting and growing a business and provide one-to-one mentoring sessions, said: “After working in the industry for over 17 years, I’m hoping my experience and knowledge of running a successful producing company will help mid-career level artists on their next step towards growth.
“Throughout my career, three things have really stood out as critical to achieving success in the theatre business. These are growing your audience, getting your finances in order, and maintaining creative ambition. I’ll talk more about these aspects in the workshop and will also be offering one-to-one sessions so attendees are encouraged to bring their questions to the session. I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can.”
On day two, Linda Horsburgh, a freelance creative facilitator who specialises in communication, confidence and teamwork, will bring participants together to reflect on their own beliefs and values and how that impacts the way in which they work with others around them. Taught through interactive games and exercises, attendees will develop communication and teamworking skills, whilst developing their own confidence in management styles and dealing with difficult situations.
Those eligible to attend are small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 250 employees or entrepreneurs eager to set up, in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. They also need to be registered with HMRC or Companies House and trading or ready to trade.
Derby Theatre Big House is part of The Big House which is part-funded by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
Anyone wishing to attend this free event on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March should visit the Derby Theatre website to book a place at: https://www.derbytheatre.co.uk/artist-development/good-company/development/business-confidence-weekend
Notes to editors
Media contact: Charlotte Goldthorpe at Capital B Media charlotte@capitalbmedia.co.uk or 01226 766900
Photograph shows independent arts producer Louise Blackwell
About Derby Theatre Big House
This is Derby Theatre’s business support programme which provides a wide range of targeted business support, from workshops to one-to-one mentoring, for theatre makers, performance artists, actors, producers, directors and those forging a career in theatre in the D2N2 region (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire).
Derby Theatre Big House is part of The Big House - a £5 million tailored support programme for the creative and digital Industries (CDI) sector, part-funded by a £2.5 million contribution from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. Match funding has also been secured from the Creative Local Growth Fund programme, funded by Arts Council England. Derby Theatre’s Big House project works in partnership with In Good Company (IGC) whereas IGC gives you the artistic inspiration, Big House helps you develop your business acumen.
About Derby Theatre - inspiring performance
Derby Theatre (previously Derby Playhouse) has a long and rich history of delivering high-quality drama to audiences. Through Derby Theatre's unique partnership with the University of Derby, and as an Arts Council England National Portfolio organisation, the Theatre has transformed from a traditional producing house, to an organisation of training, mentorship and artistic excellence.
Led by artistic director and chief executive Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre is bringing together creative professionals and audiences to tell compelling stories and take artistic risks. For 2018 - 2022, Derby Theatre will receive a 59% increase in its funding from Arts Council England, to enable it to continue to build upon the valuable work that it has started. This will mean more Derby Theatre productions at the theatre, more community work, more work with children and young people and deeper, more meaningful engagement with audiences.
This press release was prepared by Capital B Media, a public relations and media training agency based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. For more information, please visit www.capitalbmedia.co.uk.
