Moving On | Hayley Miranda on her time as Communications and Production Assistant

Hayley Miranda, our Communications and Productions Assistant, is moving on to become an Assistant Producer at The Place. Congrats and good luck Hayley!

As Communications and Production Assistant, Hayley has worked across teams to make SDS’ programme happen and ensure that people know about it. Digital communications have been central to her role, but she’s also managed and created print publicity. She’s worked closely with artists – particularly those taking part in our Open Choreography programme (now replaced by Percolate) – helping with residencies and producing work-in-progress events.

Before she goes (and before the deadline to take up her role passes…) we asked her a few questions about being Communications and Production Assistant at Siobhan Davies Studios.

What have you enjoyed?
My favourite thing about this role is its scope. Everything that goes on within the organisation is connected to or key to communications. I get to be a part of the internal and external programme, the hires, the building… anything and everything that goes on inside and outside of Siobhan Davies Studios! I have also really appreciated the independence my colleagues have given me, whilst also guiding me when I need it.

The most important thing about it?
The most important thing I would say is building relationships with artists and audiences. I am constantly in touch with so many people both within and outside the building, and it is important to represent Siobhan Davies Studios well. This is also one of the best parts of the job!

Isaac Ouro-Gnao, Open Choreography Performance Evening, November 2019. Photo: Hayley Miranda.

Proudest moment?
Making a DELICIOUS chocolate and strawberry pavlova (picture below) for the summer BBQ… does that count!?

What are you doing next?
I’m going on to be Assistant Producer (Producing and Touring) at The Place.

A final word of warning for your successor...?
No warnings! The team is so lovely and care about your development. The building is a beautiful place to work and it is the perfect role to figure out where your interests lie.

Photo: Hayley Miranda.

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Applications are open for the Communications and Production Assistant role until Monday 9 March. Find out how to make application on our website's Vacancies page.

Moving On | Matt Hudson on his role as Studios & Events Manager

Matt Hudson (pictured on the right), at Next Choreography 2018. Photo: Gorm Ashurst. 

Matt Hudson, our outgoing Studios and Events Manager, reflects on his time working at Siobhan Davies Studios.

As Studios and Events Manager, Matt manages all commercial hires, from thinking about advertising to the delivery of events. Mat also supports studio users (residencies, rehearsals or events) in the building as a technician. Importantly, with the rest of the housekeeping team, he looks after the practical maintenance of the building.

Photo: Marianne Chua

What have you enjoyed?

This role has really allowed me to explore my strengths and weaknesses and has grown along with me. I have enjoyed learning new skills and developing professionally.

The most important thing about it?

My role is to keep the building ticking. I help bring in the money to support the building and make sure it doesn’t fall down in the process. That seems pretty important right?

Proudest moment?

I have worked hard to increase the hires income to support the increasing costs of the building. I am proud of the progress we have made as a team over the last year and to be leaving behind a strong foundation for the future. Plus, I have had the pleasure of working some amazing weddings.

Photo: Dmitriy Ellie

What are you doing next?

I am going on to be the Deputy Building Manager of an immersive theatre company.

A final word of warning for your successor...?

Make sure that you keep on top of things and don’t put anything off longer than necessary, events come around quickly and odd DIY jobs can turn into larger problems if not dealt with. Plus, people will keep reminding you it's broken!

You need to be good at wearing different hats whilst juggling various tools (figuratively obviously). Don’t worry though I have left a handover document to help start you off.

Photo: Dmitriy Ellie

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There are currently three job roles open at Siobhan Davies Studios. Find out more on how to make application on our website's Vacancies page.

Towards A Creative Curriculum

CHERYL MCCHESNEY

Recently we were invited to contribute workshops at the Towards a Creative Curriculum conference held at the Barbican. The event was co-produced by Royal Shakespeare Company Education and Barbican GuildhallCreative Learning.It was a hugely enriching and empowering day which highlighted the current situation for the arts and creativity in education and what steps we can all take to tackle the issues and celebrate successes.

There were fascinating key notes speakers, panel discussions and a 'market place' of best practice settings, all incredibly useful in illustrating both the problems and potential solutions. The Global Teacher Prize winner AndriaZafirakou's key note speech was an absolute highlight of the day - her passion, heart, love and wisdom about teaching and the sharing that it is, was wonderfully inspiring. 

Our SDD workshop sessions were about enabling and supporting teachers and artists to explore, experiment, learn and develop through movement and choreography. We received some wonderful feedback from these sessions (see the pictures below)

What seems very clear is the need for accessible, appropriate and quality CPD dance provision in schools which can offer confidence, skills and understanding to teachers. Being physically creative is a fabulous learning tool which is adaptable, energising and enabling. It gives opportunities to explore and develop ideas, celebrate different outcomes, practice finding solutions and recognise the power of movement and non verbal communication.

The day was full of recognition that our creativity is the conduit for expressing our humanity and indeed Bob and Roberta Smith, the wonderful visual artist and another contributor to the day, aligned the arts with some of the 50 UN Rights of the Child. He also instigated his own Constitution for the Arts to motivate a political recognition of the importance of every child's right to be able to access and experience an enjoyment of high quality arts provision. Our challenge is how to, through effective research and evaluation, fully capture and highlight the benefits of being physically creative, in order to prove what we already know to be true.