In early 2024, Performing Arts Forum identified the need to respond to current issues, share insights and work towards the overall representation of Producer and Production related interests. We decided to:
- Establish an Open Call for a Producer Working Group to work with the Executive Team and report to the Board;
- Hold a dedicated meeting for producers at the Sligo Gathering;
- Develop a series of resources and signposts for producers; and
- Create a dedicated Producer mailing list for news and updates.
Producer Working Group
This group formed in March 2024 following an Open Call. The Working Group is:
Michelle Cahill, Freelance Producer; Breda Cashe, Freelance Producer; Emma Coen, Pan Pan; Sara Cregan, Rough Magic; Kath Gorman, Promenade; Laura McNaughton, Fishamble; Lynnette Moran, field:arts & Performing Arts Forum Board Member; Maura O’Keeffe, Once Off Productions; Heather O’Sullivan, Kelly Phelan, The Ark; Heather Rose, Freelance Producer.
Find out more about the Working Group.
Sligo Gathering – Connecting Producers
This was a networking event for producers in attendance at the Sligo Gathering co-curated by our Producer Working Group and facilitated by Susan Coughlan. 50+ producers attended.
Read the notes from the session
Producer Resources
We will add to these resources regularly.
If you know of a resource that would be useful here, please let us know.
- Rehearsal Space Directory
A listing of rehearsal spaces around the country - Promenade Producer Database
Here you can find producers working across disciplines throughout the country and search for individuals by artform, name and location - field:arts Freelancer Crew List
Contact field:arts Head of Production, Lisa Mahony, and she will recommend a set of people from their collected database based on the criteria a company has – timeframe, location, skill sets. Lisa’s email is lisa(at)fieldarts.ie - Irish Society of Performance Designers Members Portfolios
Search their listing of AV Designers, Costume Designers, Set Designers, Lighting Designers, Model-Making & Props Designers, Scenic Painting, Sound Designers, Wigs, Hair & Make-up Designers. - Access Toolkit for Artworkers
Practical resource for curators, producers and arts administrators working independently or in galleries, museums and arts organisations. This toolkit contains practical information on how to plan, produce, and exhibit accessible art projects including information on planning, finance, production, workplaces and display. - Insurance information
Prepared by Brady Insurance who offer a discount to Performing Arts Forum members. - Contracts
Performing Arts Forum downloadable sample contracts and useful resources. - Tax & Employment in the Arts
A factsheet on tax for self-employed - Touring Glossary of Terms
- Audience Insights
Performing Arts Forum’s latest audience research (published May 2024). - Greener Touring
Green Art Initiative in Ireland & Performing Arts Forum project funded by Arts Council Capacity Building. Six touring companies took part in this project aimed at reducing their environmental impacts in 2022/23. The companies were Ballet Ireland, Fishamble, Catherine Young Dance, Irish National Opera, Fidget Feet, and Druid. - Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Sustainability Toolkit
Providing informative tools and best practice resources on sustainability for everyone working across the cultural and creative sectors in Ireland. - Safe to Create
Programme to promote safer working conditions for all workers in the arts and creative sectors in Ireland. It offers training, information, support, certification and reporting tools to address Dignity at Work issues. - Minding Creative Minds
24/7 helpline and web portal for anyone involved or working in the Irish music and creative sector. It offers counselling, legal, financial, career and other services to help with anxiety, stress, trauma and abuse issues. - What is a Producer?
We will shortly develop a Producer job description. In the meantime, here are links to various articles and resources we have found.
What is a theatre producer – The Lir
Ask a Theatre Producer – Creative Careers – The Barbican
What does a Producer Actually Do? LinkedIn - The Lir MFA in Theatre Producing
The Master in Fine Art Theatre Producing programme is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland – a dedicated programme for emerging talent. It is a distinctive, practice-based, one-year postgraduate degree, led by esteemed theatre professionals. Applications for 2024 are now open. - Irish Theatre Institute resources
Irish Theatre Guide
Irish Playography - List of representative and resource organisations
Comprehensive list of representative and resource organisations - POP – A Guide to Planning Outdoor Events