PANDA Events in 2009
We have a packed programme of events planned for 2009 aimed at anyone working in theatre, dance, live art, street art, writing for performance or related sectors.
The events will provide support to people at different stages of their career in the performing arts, from those just starting out, to established practitioners. Some events will be open to all and some will be exclusively by application for PANDA members only.
In 2009 the PANDA events will come under the following three headings:
Services for young people starting a career in the performing arts.
PANDA’s pilot ShowStarter programmes delivered industry-led masterclasses and seminars to students and graduates starting out on a performing arts career.
In 2009 the ShowStarter project will grow to embrace all of the services being developed for young people as part of our current research into improving PANDA’s provision for people aged 14-21. This will include the hugely successful masterclasses, seminars, networking and advice sessions from the pilot programmes, plus new services developed especially for young people interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
The first ShowStarter event of 2009 will be a taster day for young people with workshops, seminars and a careers marketplace, allowing participants to find out about the possible options available to them. This event will take place in Manchester during February 2009. Venue and full details to be announced soon…
To register your interest in attending or volunteering at the ShowStarter taster day, or to make any suggestions for new or improved services, contact Nicky Hatton on 0161 274 0652 or email nicky@panda-arts.org.uk.
Spotlight On
Practical panel-led information and networking events focussing on a topic relevant to the performing arts.
Spotlight On Performing for Broadcast held at the BBC, October 2008.
These events will provide a spotlight on one specific area or topical issue relevant to the performing arts. Each high quality stand-alone session will be delivered by a panel of experienced guest speakers who will offer a concise practical and informative introduction to the topic. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate plus further signposting to allow participants to pursue the issues raised in the way which suits them best.
A series of four Spotlight On events will be scheduled for 2009, all taking place at the same venue. We will also programme additional Spotlight On events in and around the four set dates, elsewhere in the North West region and also in response to any major topical issues arising in the sector.
The first Spotlight On event will take place in March. The dates and venue for the 2009 series will be announced early next year…
If you have any suggestions for topics that you would like to see covered in the Spotlight On series, contact Rachel Morton on 0161 274 0626 or email rachel@panda-arts.org.uk.
Creative Conversations
Intimate forums for debate, discussion and informal networking for more established performing arts practitioners.
During 2008 PANDA piloted a programme of monthly brunch events for a selected audience of established performing arts practitioners from the region. The content and structure of the events was driven by the participants themselves in order to meet their needs.
The Creative Conversations series will be rolled out as a new PANDA service in 2009. Creative Conversations events are exclusive limited-capacity forums for debate and discussion amongst peers and invited VIP guests. Each session will include a presentation from a high-level industry figure which will ignite a creative conversation around a specific topic. Refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of opportunity for informal networking.
PANDA members with relevant experience will be able to apply to join a pool of participants. Selected practitioners accepted into the pool will then be invited to attend each Creative Conversations event. There will be a fee for attendance at these events which will contribute to the cost of refreshments and bringing in the VIP speakers.
The Creative Conversations events will take place on the first Tuesday of every month from February 2009 at our partner venue, greenroom.
More information about the Creative Conversations programme, including details of the eligibility criteria, will be sent out to all PANDA members in mid-January…
If you have any queries about the Creative Conversations events contact Liz O’Neill on 0161 274 0629 or email liz@panda-arts.org.uk.