SERVICES:
Practical, informed support for arts organisations, creative projects and communities working through change.
I help people develop ideas, make clearer decisions and build stronger cultural projects, combining strategic thinking with more than 20 years of hands-on experience across theatre, festivals, events and community work.
Creative organisations and projects sometimes need space to step back, ask difficult questions and turn broad ambitions into something people can understand and act upon.
I offer a combination of sector knowledge, strategic thinking and practical delivery. I can help develop an early idea, review an existing project or plan, facilitate conversations, gather evidence, strengthen the case for creative work or support an individual or team through a period of development.
Because I have founded organisations, led campaigns and delivered cultural projects myself, my advice is grounded in the realities of limited time, budgets, governance, audiences, partnerships and live delivery. The aim is not to produce recommendations that sit on a shelf, but to help identify a useful and achievable way forward.
Support with organisational development, cultural planning, project ideas and the practical challenges facing creative spaces.
An outside perspective on new projects, partnerships, audiences, delivery models and next steps.
Consultation, facilitation and sector insight that helps connect policy ambitions with cultural organisations and communities.
Support developing accessible, locally relevant projects that respond to the people and places they are intended to serve.
Workshops, mentoring and practical guidance for students, emerging practitioners and creative teams.
Flexible support for organisations and ideas that need additional capacity, clarity or specialist cultural knowledge.
Exploring an initial idea, testing its assumptions and identifying what would be required to turn it into a viable project.
Reviewing aims, activity, structures and plans to identify strengths, gaps, priorities and realistic next steps.
Designing and leading conversations, workshops, meetings and public events that allow different perspectives to be heard.
Helping organisations and communities build a clear case, communicate shared concerns and engage constructively with decision-makers.
Giving individuals and teams practical guidance, useful tools and greater confidence to develop their own work.
Gathering evidence, reviewing information and turning it into clear reports, options, action plans or recommendations.
Every organisation and project is different, so the scope is agreed around the questions being explored and the support required. Depending on the project, my involvement may include:
My consultancy work is supported by more than 20 years of experience across theatre, festivals, events, cultural organisations and community projects.
I have founded and led Theatre Bath, sat on the board of the Cultural Forum for the Bath Area, organised conferences and public meetings, led advocacy activity and worked with councils, venues, artists, educators and community organisations. That experience allows me to understand both the broader cultural landscape and the practical realities of making a project happen.
I am comfortable moving between strategic conversations and practical detail. I can help examine the larger purpose of a project while also asking the operational questions that determine whether it will work. My approach is constructive, straightforward and centred on helping people build their own confidence and capacity.
Campaign Leadership and Arts Advocacy
Led a city-wide response to proposed reductions in local arts funding, bringing together artists, organisations and audiences through open meetings, coordinated communications and press engagement. The campaign helped Bath’s cultural community express a stronger, more unified position at a critical moment.
Board Member and Sector Advocacy
Worked alongside colleagues from across Bath’s cultural sector to encourage collaboration, share knowledge and strengthen engagement between creative organisations, freelancers and local decision-makers.
Consultation and Event Facilitation
Co-led a public event commissioned by B&NES Council’s Arts Development team, bringing together artists, organisations, audiences and policymakers to explore the challenges and opportunities facing theatre in the city.
Founder and Creative Director
Established Theatre Bath to champion and connect the city’s theatre community. What began as an online platform developed into conferences, sector partnerships, public advocacy and collaborations with local press, creating a recognised voice for theatre across Bath.
I have worked in community arts and theatre for over 30 years – in that time I have not met many people as dedicated, interested, insightful and hard-working as Luke. He also works as a lighting designer and technician. Thankfully, his days in the dark don’t stop him from seeing the bigger picture…”
Whether you need an outside perspective, a facilitated conversation or practical help turning an ambition into an achievable plan, I can help you find a clearer way forward.