NEWS: I’ve been awarded an Arts Council England DYCP!

I’m delighted to share that I’ve been awarded a second Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from Arts Council England – this time to develop, test and pilot a brand new podcast project.

My first DYCP, back in 2021, focused on strategic leadership development – giving me space to consolidate, stretch and invest in how I show up across different parts of the sector. It led to all sorts of new work and connections, and gave me clarity on the kind of leadership I wanted to model and champion.

This time, I’m stepping into creative production – exploring the power of inclusive storytelling, reflective dialogue and platforming voices we don’t hear enough of.

Why a podcast?

Because I believe we need new formats to explore what’s really going on in the sector right now.

We’re in a time of huge challenge and change – and I want to create space for honest conversations about what it means to lead, make, fund and survive in the cultural sector in 2025 and beyond. This podcast will be a place to ask better questions, learn in public, and shift perspectives.

It will focus on:

• ✨ Inclusive leadership – not just who’s in the room, but how power and care are held

• ✨ Systems change – naming what isn’t working and exploring what could

• ✨ Freelance life – the messy middle, the joy, the grind, the insight

• ✨ Underrepresented voices – because lived experience is expertise

You heard it here first…

This has been brewing for a while, but now I’ve got the space (and support) to bring it to life. The DYCP will give me time to upskill in podcast production, test the format, shape a pilot series, and invite others in.

I’ll be sharing the behind-the-scenes journey – what I’m learning, what I’m unlearning, and what’s emerging as I go. Guests will bring their own perspectives, challenges, provocations and tools – with a hope that these conversations do something, not just say something.

Here’s what I said when I announced it on social:

“I've got some really big news. I found out in the last couple of weeks that I have been awarded a DYCP from the Arts Council – really excitingly.
What am I going to be doing? I’m planning to develop a podcast.
Yep, you heard it here first – so stay tuned, everyone!

I can’t wait to develop my skills and unpack some conversations about what the arts sector is really like right now.

Everything from inclusive storytelling, spotlighting underrepresented voices, and talking about things we actually want to hear about.

I’ll be inviting guests to share their experiences, offer tips and insights, and open up new perspectives.

So I’m really excited to be developing it – and thanks to Arts Council for the funding. Watch this space, guys!”

What’s next?

I'll be starting the R&D phase this autumn – including skills development, format testing and guest curation. The podcast itself will launch as a pilot series in 2026.

If you’d like to follow along, be a guest, or help shape the direction of this work, feel free to get in touch. I’ll be sharing updates here and over on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Thank you to Arts Council England for backing this phase of my creative journey.

More soon.