Toolbox

This week we launched the second edition of TOOLBOX, a leadership programme for Outdoor Arts Producers, developed & delivered by me in collaboration with the great team at 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Centre.

Simon Chatterton (Strategic Lead at 101) and I started dreaming about an event like this, over 10 years ago on a long walk in Morecambe Bay, when we were taking part in a leadership programme. It took a few years, but in 2019 we had our first Toolbox Residency.
Situated in a light industrial business zone, near Greenham Common, 101 has got brilliant facilities, large studios and accommodation in fancy Portacabins (en-suite!). Simon and I always agreed that conviviality, companionship and good food were high on the list for creating the right atmosphere for sharing.

Having worked for several years as a freelance arts producer, I established my company ArtsAgenda in 2004, because I wanted producers like me to be able to work with brilliant artists, without getting burnt out, exploited, and lonely in the process.

The relationship between producers and artists can be quite dynamic. The fact that the role of producer is still ill defined and can include everything and anything (from the sublime to the ridiculous – it’s a cliché, but there’s a reason why they exist!) means there is a lot of grey mushy area to navigate.

Right from the start I wanted ArtsAgenda to be a home for several producers to work on their own projects, alongside each other with access to support whenever needed, and to share resources and knowledge. To have a group of people who can applaud each other, when the funding report has been submitted. To boost each other, when the application was not successful, or the potential tour date fell through. 

At its busiest ArtsAgenda, I had a Co-Director (Emma Haughton, then Lesley Wood) and 6 Producers working alongside 2 Administrators. The fantastic team we had deserves its own post – that’s for another time. It was a buzzing office and we supported many artists and companies, and worked on amazing arts projects.

My work life has changed a lot in the last few years, and now I work from home and team up with other organisations. I do a lot less producing of arts projects, but support arts professionals through coaching and development programmes like Toolbox.

Which is why, for me, TOOLBOX is a different iteration of the same initial ambition which compelled me to start ArtsAgenda, and it makes me very happy to realise this! 

It’s the best thing, to be able to support arts professionals by teaching and sharing the tools and knowledge that have helped me, and fundamentally made me a better professional, better mother and better person. I want to ensure that the TOOLBOXERS have a few more treasures up their sleeve for a healthy, sustainable career, which feels authentic and true, and rejects suffering.

Toolbox encourages you to lead with self respect, kindness and generosity.

We are planning for another online experience, and then hopefully soon a full on RESIDENCY.
For more information about TOOLBOX.