Collaborative Conversations: Producing and Festivals

Collaborative Conversations: Producing and Festivals brings together festival producers, artists, and cultural organisers for an open discussion about how festivals are created, produced, and sustained.

This conversation is presented by Promenade, an initiative founded in 2021 by Kath Gorman that brings extensive experience in producing and supporting multi-disciplinary works across a range of artistic settings. Promenade works with artists, producers, and cultural organisations through strategic development, fundraising support, partnership building, mentoring, and professional training.

Promenade focuses on supporting the next generation of arts professionals, offering mentoring, training, and opportunities that encourage diversity and inclusion within the arts sector.

Promenade is funded through the Arts Council’s Creative Production Support Scheme (2024–2025) and supports the development of artists and producers through several initiatives, including:

• Producing, production, and artistic support for 10 artists and companies

• Emerging Producer partnerships, including Future Producers, the Pilot Producer Network, and Event Producer Traineeships

• Training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and placements for early-career producers

• Building artist capacity to support sustainable careers, longer production lifecycles, and viable touring models

This event offers a valuable opportunity to learn more about festival production, collaboration, and the evolving role of producers in the arts sector, while connecting with others working in or interested in festival development.