CATALYST PRODUCER – MATERNITY LEAVE

In a new development, Vicky Rutherford is off on maternity leave from the end of October.  We’re happy to announce that Leigh Robieson-Cleaver, currently Catalyst’s Assistant Producer and Administrative Manager of David Hughes Dance will be taking over as Producer during Vicky’s absence.  Leigh will be in post from Mon 31 October 2011, working on sabbatical from David Hughes Dance.

Reintroducing Kaffeeklatsch!
Edinburgh and Glasgow
December 2011 – March 2012

Following a successful pilot in the spring this year, Catalyst and The Work Room at The Tramway are delighted to be re-launching our Kaffeeklatsch programme - a series of advisory sessions with a range of Independent Producers between December 2011 and March 2012.  These sessions are designed to allow dance artists to meet with established producers, to introduce their work or to focus on a particular project or challenge.

We are delighted to announce that the following producers will be available for one-on-one sessions:

- Steve Slater Tuesday 13 ^th December 2011, The Tramway, Glasgow

- Gwen Van Spijk Friday 16^th December 2011, Dance Base, Edinburgh

- Lucy Mason Monday 19^th December 2011, 9:30am – 2pm, Dance Base, Edinburgh

- Kate Bowen Monday 19^th December 2011, 4 - 6pm, The Tramway, Glasgow

Producers are offering slots of 1-2hrs, depending on your individual needs (with the option of a follow-up session if appropriate and depending on availability).

We ask that if you would like to meet a producer you have a think about what you wish to bring to the session. Tthis could be just a general overview of your work and a discussion about future plans, a specific application you're working on, or a specific project which you would like to find commissioning partners for, etc. We would ask that you think about how you could best use that time, and bring any applications, images/videos/presentations that you might need.

Please contact Sarah Hebeisen, Project Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register your interest, with a one-line synopsis detailing what you would like to discuss. Please get in touch even if you can't make any of the dates advertised here – we will be running more sessions in the new year so there will be further opportunites to take up this offer.

The Producers

Steve Slater was senior producer at the Tramway, Glasgow creating and maintaining the artistic vision of the perfromance programme for 14 years. Steve graduated in fine arts from the College of Arts in Cardiff and has worked as an artist of performance and film/installation.  Steve has participated in the British Council's “Cultural Leadership International“ programme and formed his own company TACTICAL A.U. - which aims to develop, support and advance the artistic ambitions of Scottish based artists both in the UK and abroad.

Gwen van Spijk initially worked in the commercial sector in the USA and UK, before moving into arts management. She was Administrative Director for Motionhouse Dance Theatre 1992 - 1997 after which she embarked on a career as an independent arts manager, consultant and trainer, working primarily in the dance and performance sector. Gwen has managed a wide range of artists and companies including Charles Linehan, Russell Maliphant, Ben Wright/bgroup and Nigel Charnock. Gwen is currently Executive Director of Lone Twin, a role which encompasses managing the company’s Artists Taking the Lead commission for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and she is also New Art Club’s Manager.

Lucy Mason Since starting her career in arts management in 1985, Lucy has supported artists to develop projects and organisations producing dance, theatre, music and opera, and quite a lot in between.  She currently works on a freelance basis having previously been Chief Executive of Dance Base and Administrative Producer of the Traverse Theatre.  Lucy's skills and experience include programming, producing, financial management, fundraising, strategic planning and organisational development.  She is trained as a mentor and is an advisor and Board member for a number of artists and arts organisations

Kate Bowen is an Independent Producer based in Glasgow. She was previously Executive Producer at Theatre Babel, taking small, mid and large scale performances to theatres throughout the UK and to leading venues and festivals across the world. Recent and current work include projects with Subject to Change (London), Gate Theatre/Dance Umbrella (London), Andy Manley (Edinburgh), The Work Room (Glasgow), Unlimited Theatre (Leeds), Dancing Brick (Milton Keynes), Corn Exchange (Newbury), Arcola Theatre and Iceni Productions (London), Necessary Angel (Canada) and Ek Performance (Glasgow). She has recently been awarded a Creative Producer Bursary to work with Artichoke in London. Kate has been the recipient of three SAC Professional Development Awards, has represented her clients at events such as APAP in New York and IETM, has been a Scottish Arts Council Drama Assessor and worked for the British Council’s Arts Unit in Scotland.