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Something has been niggling at me since last night. A little bit of a wake up/realisation/provocation.
For the first time I am working in a NPO venue supported heavily, although not exclusively, by public funding.
(Below are my views, not my employer
)
For the first time I am working in a NPO venue supported heavily, although not exclusively, by public funding.
(Below are my views, not my employer
)
The responsibility we have as a NPO venue is, quite frankly, massive. To our stakeholders, board, our staff, the creatives we employ, the audiences, the participants, the community, the city, the industry, the Council.
We, and in turn I, are so privileged to have this responsibility to deliver our mission as a NPO.
But... (there was always going to be a but, itâs one of those threads, come on) ... there is a limit to what we can be for artists/communities/audiences.
But... (there was always going to be a but, itâs one of those threads, come on) ... there is a limit to what we can be for artists/communities/audiences.
We may be in receipt of ACE funding but that doesnât mean that we can support everyone in our community or the local artist network.
This makes me incredibly sad, because I know there are those that are falling between the cracks.
This makes me incredibly sad, because I know there are those that are falling between the cracks.
We canât be everything for everyone, even if, with all our willing and openness we will always strive for being this.
It just doesnât work when you are large NPO with so many stakeholders, responsibilities, deliveries, projects etc and delivering a business and artistic mission.
It just doesnât work when you are large NPO with so many stakeholders, responsibilities, deliveries, projects etc and delivering a business and artistic mission.
So, I have questions...
When working in a NPO, how do you continue to think and respond like an independent artist/theatre maker, whilst also applying the knowledge and responsibility you have within a NPO?
How do you think and respond outside your NPO remit whilst within?
When working in a NPO, how do you continue to think and respond like an independent artist/theatre maker, whilst also applying the knowledge and responsibility you have within a NPO?
How do you think and respond outside your NPO remit whilst within?
How do you balance the responsibility of being a NPO/employed by a NPO & ensuring you donât lose the knowledge & understanding of the independent sector?
How do you be less of a gatekeeper whilst understanding as a NPO you are automatically one?
How do you be more for all?
How do you be less of a gatekeeper whilst understanding as a NPO you are automatically one?
How do you be more for all?
... and some personal provocations:
How do I be a better producer for the East Midlands?
How can I support independent producers and theatre-makers whilst being a NPO producer?
How do I strive for this and still deliver on my job within an NPO?
How do I be a better producer for the East Midlands?
How can I support independent producers and theatre-makers whilst being a NPO producer?
How do I strive for this and still deliver on my job within an NPO?
... and some reminders:
Itâs okay to feel this, to question this, and (in the future) to be empowered by this.
Itâs okay to be salaried, be part of a NPO and still be connected and supporting of the independent sector.
You donât have all the answers but you do have willing.
Itâs okay to feel this, to question this, and (in the future) to be empowered by this.
Itâs okay to be salaried, be part of a NPO and still be connected and supporting of the independent sector.
You donât have all the answers but you do have willing.
Thank you for listening to my TED talk / âIâm freaking out at being part of the establishmentâ talk.
Suppose I best get to work.
Suppose I best get to work.
