Maria Bota describes the steps on her career path that led her to become Director of Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival
DIRECTOR AGEAS SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL (2008–present)
My role here draws together all of my earlier career experiences. The city of Salisbury and the surrounding landscape offer extraordinary opportunities for artists and I love developing the ideas with them, finding the support for them and making the Festival fly. In 2012, we have a new church opera from Jonathan Dove, a Fire Garden at Stonehenge and an exciting programme of Brazilian work brought together especially for the Festival. It’s a real privilege to be here.
CLORE FELLOWSHIP (2005–2006)
The guidance from Sue Hoyle and Chris Smith was absolutely invaluable. A series of secondments to leading producers continues to inform the approach I take to my work on many levels. Artangel’s multi-dimensional Exodus project led by Penny Woolcock; Artichoke’s The Sultan’s Elephant; and Stella Hall’s programme at culture10. All of the projects took artists and audiences into new places and spaces.
MARKETING DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE BRIDGEWATER HALL (1999–2005)
Developing the programme and keeping the quality whilst balancing the books is a tough call in an unsubsidised venue of this scale. I learned about programming and promoting across the musical spectrum and a lot more besides from my inspirational boss there, Howard Raynor.
GENERAL MANAGER HUDDERSFIELD CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL (1997–1999)
The Festival was an invaluable first experience at running a company, from finance and education through to production and reporting to a Board. And I was fortunate to work with artistic director Richard Steinitz.
HEAD OF MARKETING LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (1991–1997)
Incredible years experiencing some of the world’s greatest musicians and working with a remarkable leader, Clive Gillinson, whose belief and commitment still inspires me. I started out as Marketing Assistant and left as Head of Marketing.