Your reports Find reports In addition to developing opportunities for artists in the South West, how do we retain, attract and develop producers and arts managers? In addition to developing opportunities for artists in the South West, how do we retain, attract and develop producers and arts managers? Danielle Rose, 17 July 2012 Person who called session: Danielle People present: Kelly, Ben, Jane Joined by: Katie, Robert, Alasdair & Peter I called the session / raised this topic for a few reasons - * sometimes feeling pressure to move away for work * sense that need to gain experience and skills elsewhere to be able to really have something to contribute to the SW * desire for support network Some of the issues and concerns we discussed as a group were: * How can we allow producers to ‘cut their teeth’ here? * need to identify market / audience for work * lack of infrastructure and support * not becoming too insular, developing SW whilst being aware of bigger picture * retaining / developing own identity whilst participating in national network * “Not what you know, but who you know..” or perhaps more importantly WHO KNOWS you when securing work * Need to / ability to travel (sense within group that unlikely will be able to sustain self working in solely in one place) * needs to be bravery / willingness by venues and funders to work with new producers and take risk * Should we respond to existing audiences or develop new ones? * artists need arts managers and vice versa * what region lacks is young, energetic producers * lack of South West ‘product’ directly related to lack of producers * networking websites underused / don't fulfill need? Still disjointed in finding info and each other * artists are moving away because not people here to develop / manage their work and collaborate with Some of the opportunities that came up were: * potentially we have a bit of a blank canvas and are not bound to existing rules or ways of working * supporting each other and growing through experimentation and collaboration together * importance / value of work that emerges from within a community, rather than external producers coming and going * having to work across different locations and with different people of huge value * investing in new work and audiences good for everyone - cross-fertilisation Suggestions: * “Don't leave!” * we need a conversation about this subject with venues, artists, funders, producers etc. “in the room” * Just do it / act - learn and develop through doing * As starting point DO approach venues and orgs with requests for what's needed - be it space, hot desk, branded email address… don't ask, don't get * formation of regular action learning groups for producers - support, thrashing out problems/ ideas (Amonite in Dorset held up as an example) * need for mentoring Thank you to everyone who participated Tags: South West, producers, south west, career development, opportunity, emerging talent, arts management