In this episode Malú Ansaldo & Matilda James, two members of producing collective The Murmuration, discuss the importance of specialism with regards to producing, and the formation of their collective which has held them and their collaborators through challenging times, offering a values-led & critical lens through which to analyse and impact the arts in 2022.

Music and Audio Editing by Olive Mondegreen
Produced by Sally Rose

Producer Gathering: Malú Ansaldo & Matilda James

Jenny Williams BEM and Samina Ali talk through their journey’s into the arts, and experiences of sticking at it from the 90’s through to now, the changes being made in the areas of diversity and inclusion, and where there needs to be more improvement. Their conversation bursts with mutual respect and good humour - and they consider what does the term producer even mean anyway?!

Music and Audio Editing by Olive Mondegreen
Produced by Sally Rose

Producer Gathering: Jenny Williams BEM & Samina Ali

In this episode Xavier de Sousa (Producer Gathering co-founder) & Dan de la Motte (creative practitioner & equity counsellor) explore the role of collective movements and unions.
This galvanising discussion takes in: why people should join a union (and how to go about it!), how grassroots organisations & unions are effective opposition to governments, the idiosyncrasies of freelancing, and valuing collaboration over competition.

Advance warning: there is some swearing in this episode from 34 mins in!

Music and Audio Editing by Olive Mondegreen
Produced by Sally Rose with assistance from Kamari Roméo

Producer Gathering: Xavier de Sousa & Dan de la Motte

In this episode Ruby Glaskin & Nassy Konan talk about international producing reflecting on their shared and individual experiences of it and issues like: how to look after people on the road; who is and isn’t in the room (or country!); demystifying networking & relationship building; taking a global not just local view of work; journeys in, routes around and considering the environment; ambitions and top tips!

Music and Audio Editing by Olive Mondegreen
Produced by Sally Rose

Producer Gathering: Ruby Glaskin & Nassy Konan

In this episode, Valentina Vela and Amaya Jeyarajah Dent discuss their experiences as cultural producers working on participatory art projects. They emphasise the importance of care and ethics when involving non-professional actors in performance art, highlighting the need for open communication, trust-building, and resource allocation to ensure participant well-being and artistic exploration. They also discuss the power dynamics between participants and artists, advocating for a shift in language and recognition of participants as artists and collaborators. Additionally, they stress the importance of diversity and representation in participatory work and call for venues to invest resources and staff to support these projects genuinely.


Producer Gathering - Valentina Vela and Amaya Jeyarajah Dent

In this episode, theatre producers Adrian Gardner and Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner discuss their journeys into the industry and the importance of making theatre spaces transformative and accessible for all. They share their experiences producing work for diverse communities, including Jasmyn’s work on the play “For Black Boys” and Adrian’s event “For the Culture.” They emphasise the importance of engaging with audiences and communities on a human level, listening to their needs, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and represented. The episode concludes with a discussion on how to build a legacy of inclusivity in the theatre industry through policy changes and empowering the next generation of theatre makers.

Producer Gathering: Adrian Gardner and Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner

In this episode, outdoor arts producers Ellie Harris and Alison Holder discuss the challenges and benefits of producing touring and outdoor arts. They emphasise the importance of creating anti-racist spaces in touring and explore strategies for embedding access and inclusivity from the beginning of the production process. Additionally, they touch on the significance of sustainability in outdoor arts and the complexities it presents.

Producer Gathering:  Ellie Harris and Alison Holder

We’re excited to launch: PAUSE: A Self-Care Support for Producers. 

Co-produced by The Uncultured and Producer Gathering, with support from Artsadmin and Marlborough Productions, this resource offers a supportive lens on experiencing burnout through eight commissioned writings from producers, facilitators, and wellbeing specialists. It encompasses personal insights, practical reflections and useful signposting to offer a tool that specifically considers the role and intricacies of working as a producer right now. 
For context, Producer Gathering is a UK-based initiative supporting independent producers in the arts sector. Established in 2016, it provides free resources, bursaries, case studies, and commissioned writings to nurture producers at all career stages. Managed by Nassy Konan and It is supported by Marlborough Productions and Arts Council England. 


The Uncultured are arts independents Ash Bowmott and Laura Sweeney. They work together to produce, curate, facilitate and advocate. Their shared focus is on artist and arts worker development, believing career sustainability in our sector is in crisis, and this structural failure needs to be attended to by everyone
working within it. 

Each area of their practice, from fundraising to creating free-to-access sector resources, is part of their work towards better, more equitable working conditions in the arts.


Digital Burnout Diagnosis? - Seyi Osi

Is everyone ok?? - Ash Bowmott and Laura Sweeney, The Uncultured

A Letter to/from/about my Producing Practice - Nick Murray

We’re excited to launch: PAUSE: A Self-Care Support for Producers. Co-produced by The Uncultured and Producer Gathering, with support from Artsadmin and Marlborough Productions, this resource offers a supportive lens on experiencing burnout through eight commissioned writings from producers, facilitators, and wellbeing specialists. It encompasses personal insights, practical reflections and useful signposting to offer a tool that specifically considers the role and intricacies of working as a producer right now. 


For context, Producer Gathering is a UK-based initiative supporting independent producers in the arts sector. Established in 2016, it provides free resources, bursaries, case studies, and commissioned writings to nurture producers at all career stages. Managed by Nassy Konan and It is supported by Marlborough Productions and Arts Council England. 


The Uncultured are arts independents Ash Bowmott and Laura Sweeney. They work together to produce, curate, facilitate and advocate. Their shared focus is on artist and arts worker development, believing career sustainability in our sector is in crisis, and this structural failure needs to be attended to by everyone
working within it. Each area of their practice from fundraising to creating free to-access sector resources, is part of their work towards better, more equitable working conditions in the arts.

Soft Strength:  Practicing Self-Compassion as a Producer - Camille Lesforis

We’re excited to launch: PAUSE: A Self-Care Support for Producers. 

Co-produced by The Uncultured and Producer Gathering, with support from Artsadmin and Marlborough Productions, this resource offers a supportive lens on experiencing burnout through eight commissioned writings from producers, facilitators, and wellbeing specialists. It encompasses personal insights, practical reflections and useful signposting to offer a tool that specifically considers the role and intricacies of working as a producer right now. 
For context, Producer Gathering is a UK-based initiative supporting independent producers in the arts sector. Established in 2016, it provides free resources, bursaries, case studies, and commissioned writings to nurture producers at all career stages. Managed by Nassy Konan and It is supported by Marlborough Productions and Arts Council England. 


The Uncultured are arts independents Ash Bowmott and Laura Sweeney. They work together to produce, curate, facilitate and advocate. Their shared focus is on artist and arts worker development, believing career sustainability in our sector is in crisis, and this structural failure needs to be attended to by everyone
working within it. Each area of their practice, from fundraising to creating free-to-access sector resources, is part of their work towards better, more equitable working conditions in the arts.

I believe in slowing down - Toni-Dee Paul

Holding space for yourself as a producer - Kim Simpson

Burnout and the Arts: A Systemic Crisis - Nassy Konan, Producer Gathering

Understanding & Preventing Burnout - Lou Platt

The Burrow - Evie Muir

Supporting your brain - working at your best - Emma Wee

In this episode, Emilie Labourey and Adele Reeves, two producers in the cultural sector, discuss the importance of building and nurturing relationships with other producers. They reflect on their own journeys into producing, highlighting the value of mentorship and support from more experienced producers. The conversation also touches on the challenges of networking, particularly the anxieties and insecurities that can arise, especially in the early stages of one's career. Emily and Adele emphasise the importance of approaching networking with a focus on genuine connection and mutual support rather than solely as a means to advance one's career. They also discuss the benefits of building a strong network, including access to resources, expertise, and potential collaborations.

Producer Gathering: Emilie Labourey & Adele Reeves

In this episode, access producers F. Zeeshan Choudhury and Ellie Liddell-Crewe discuss the challenges of taking a global perspective on access. They emphasise the importance of understanding power dynamics, decentralising Western, ableist perspectives, and approaching collaborations with cultural responsiveness and generosity. The episode also highlights the need for ongoing learning, open communication, and flexibility in navigating diverse cultural contexts and individual access needs. The conversation concludes with the speakers encouraging listeners to reach out and continue the dialogue on these important issues.

Producer Gathering: F. Zeeshan Choudhury and Ellie Liddell-Crewe

In this episode, Chilean cultural manager and researcher Dalal Leiva Egnem and Argentinian producer and creator Cecilia Kuska discuss the challenges and opportunities of international cooperation in the arts and cultural sector. Drawing on their experiences working in Chile, Argentina, and Europe, they explore the complexities of building bridges between different communities and rethinking traditional models of collaboration and cooperation.

Producer Gathering: Dalal Leiva Egnem and Cecilia Kuska

In this episode, Steph B and Geni Lou, two international cultural producers, discuss their journeys and perspectives on working as cultural entrepreneurs in the arts. Both started in dance and organically transitioned into producing, driven by a desire to support artists and projects. They highlight the shift from simply responding to opportunities to strategically seeking them out, focusing on building sustainable models, securing diverse funding streams (beyond project-based grants common in the UK), and cultivating strong relationships. They share insights on the challenges of freelancing, balancing financial needs with artistic integrity, and the value of varied experiences for a broader perspective and greater empathy in the field. They also touch upon the humbling experience of living and working in different countries and adapting to new cultural contexts.

Producer Gathering: Steph B and Geni Lou

In this episode, Eric Cyuzuzo and Marie Umuhoza, siblings and cultural producers in Brussels, discuss the challenges they face as Black space organisers and curators. They highlight the complexities of catering to diverse Black communities, including linguistic and cultural differences. They emphasise the importance of avoiding tokenism and ensuring that their events are accessible to all Black individuals, not just the upwardly mobile. Additionally, they express concerns about the trend of institutions embracing inclusion as a branding strategy without genuine commitment and the pressure on Black creatives to conform to respectability politics. The conversation also touches on financial constraints and the need to support community-started projects.


Producer Gathering: Marie Umuhoza and Eric Cyuzuzo

In this episode, creative producers Marina and Danielle discuss their experiences working in participatory contexts, focusing on community engagement. They share their journeys into producing, highlighting the importance of accessible and inclusive practices. The conversation explores the challenges of participatory work, including limited budgets and timelines and the need for sustainable approaches that benefit both organisations and participants. They emphasise the significance of building strong partnerships with communities and other organisations, ensuring that participatory projects are not tokenistic but have a lasting impact. 


Producer Gathering: Danielle Marshall and Marina Sacco

In this episode Millie and Molly, co-founders of The Project People, discuss their approach to redefining producing in the cultural sector. Both began as self-producing artists and transitioned into professional producing, emphasising a flexible, transparent, affordable, and holistic model. They highlight the power of working as a duo, enabling them to balance creative autonomy with practical support, avoid burnout, and expand their reach and impact. They advocate for slowing down in an industry that often pushes for speed, fostering radical self-care, and building strong peer support networks. Their vision for the future of producing emphasises collaboration, innovation in fundraising, and championing producers who hold significant responsibility in the arts.

Producer Gathering: The Project People - Millie Wood Downie & Molly McGeachin

Rob is a multi-art form producer and programmer who specialises in cross art form projects, festivals and participatory work. Over the past ten years he has worked with BAC, The Albany, World Stages London, Roundhouse and Brighton Dome and Festival. Rob is currently  the Festival Producer at Dance Umbrella, and is Creative Producer for Brownton Abbey, an independent performance collective which centres  disabled QTIBIPoC (queer, trans and intersex, Black and indigneous People of Colour). Rob is also a Clore alumni.

Marlborough Productions

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