Title Director
Organisation Brouhaha International
How long in post? 7 months
t: 0151 709 3334
e: giles@brouhaha.uk.com
What does your organisation do?
An arts and cultural development agency that works through promotion, production and participation, covering its:
? international street festival
? outreach and education programmes
? information services
? events packages
? production of new performance work
What does your job involve?
? Planning and programming: I bring a fusion of global styles and artsforms from across Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to the streets of Liverpool
? Fundraising: The majority of my time is spent trying to find creative ways of funding local and international arts and cultural projects from a cocktail of sources
? International Development: One of the most enjoyable aspects of the job is developing international performance projects; collaborations and training opportunities between young artists and performers from across the world
? Arts in Regeneration: At a community level I am involved in developing the skills, knowledge and experience of local people, through Brouhaha?s educational and outreach programmes which produce large-scale community celebrations like Liverpool?s Carnival parade
Who did you used to work for?
? Hope Street Ltd (Liverpool) - Workshop Leaders Programme Co-ordinator: working with young artists in order that they reinvest newly acquired skills into their communities and develop themselves as arts practitioners.
? Oval House Theatre (London): working with youth and community groups making theatre, music and dance projects
? Freelance: youth arts worker, community arts worker, theatre director, trainer, international arts development
What do you enjoy most about your role?
That it is possible to meet a colleague involved in arts animation in another country, to plan and develop a project, and a year later for it to be realised in the form of an international festival.
What do you find most difficult in your role?
Remaining sane! But seriously, in vocational work with limited resources one can take on mammoth tasks and find that the word ?no? has disappeared from one?s vocabulary. I am also disheartened by the lack of recognition given to the development of the arts and cultural sectors by non-governmental organisations, particularly the more established arts funders.
What is your career ambition?
To be working in a position where I can create and influence arts policy at an international level
Who has most influenced your career to date the most and why?
The most influential has been Stevie Witson (sadly no longer with us, but never forgotten). A personality of giant-like stature, he always believed in and nurtured my ability to be creative.
If you could have done any job, what would it be?
Professional musician
What are your wishes for the future of the arts?
? Greater diversity and inclusivity?
? More democratic process of resource allocation?
? and three more wishes!