Independent Production Manager for field arts

field:arts is seeking expressions of interest for the opportunity to join field:arts cohort as an Independent Production Manager. This is a professional development opportunity for an individual at an early to mid career stage in this highly sought after discipline. This is a new opportunity and support strand in the framework for field:arts, an initiative in partnership with Dublin Theatre Festival.

The Independent Production Manager will be supported by field:arts, under the guidance of field:arts Head of Production (Lisa Mahony).

Through mentorship, training and financial support, field:arts will afford the Independent Production Manager the time and opportunity to develop their craft between existing projects, outside of the pressure of deadlines and short-term engagements often typical of this type of work.

field:arts will aim to help the Independent Production Manager to foster a more sustainable year-round practice, positively impacting their work with producers, artists and companies in years to come.

Financial Support: The Independent Production Manager will be contracted and paid a stipend to help support their professional practice for one full year.

The aim is –

● To afford the Independent Production Manager the opportunity to set aside time for upskilling, training and professional development

● To recognise their contribution to the wider field:arts cohort of creative producers and artists

● To build a sustainable working practice with a bedrock of support, mentorship and peer leadership 1 Mentorship and Professional Development. The Independent Production Manager will receive mentorship from field:arts Head of Production Lisa Mahony in relation to current projects, specific areas of interest and future professional goals. The Independent Production Manager will also be able to avail of mentorship from Dublin Theatre Festival’s Head of Production and Lead Production Manager. Additionally, we will provide direct support from field:arts Senior Creative Producers as well as the wider network of Associate Producers, Independent Producers, Companies and Artists. Peer-to-peer support is built into the fabric of field:arts and the Assistant Production Manager will have valuable access to this network. Regular meetings with the field:arts cohort will provide opportunities to build professional networks and engage in cross-industry knowledge sharing.

Note: The above description gives an overview of ways that the Independent Production Manager will be supported. In addition the Independent Production Manager will become a key part in the growth and development of field:arts, and as such will play a part in shaping the support on offer and how field:arts grows into the future.

The Independent Production Manager may receive project-specific support and guidance from the Head of Production and core field:arts team. Opportunities for the Independent Production Manager to work on the many and varied projects in which the field:arts cohort of producers and artists are engaged may arise., but this is not compulsory, such engagements would be separately agreed and remunerated.

Who we are looking for

Applicants must have:

● A minimum of two – three year’s experience working professionally within the arts sector in a production or technical role, either freelance or within an organisation.

● A desire to expand your professional practice, knowledge and experience in production management.

● A desire to contribute to the wider goals of field:arts as an organisation and its positive influence on the arts sector. We acknowledge that not all candidates may have a linear career trajectory, and if you have come to your work through non-traditional means and/or unconventional spaces we are keen to hear from you. field:arts is committed to establishing diverse pathways for emerging practitioners; to encourage new engagement with the sector in a way that is responsive to their needs. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who come from communities that are currently underrepresented in the Irish arts landscape across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic background as well as candidates with a disability

How to Apply

Applicants must supply –

● One page cover letter

● Up to date CV including contact details and email address. Please also name 2 referees

● A short biography and or weblinks to examples of work

● An overview of any commitment to artists or projects you have pending for 2024 We want to hear from you in whatever way feels most representative of you and your work, so you can apply in one of the following formats:

● a written application

● a short video or audio recording (max duration 5 mins)

All applications must cover the following: 1. Why this opportunity is an important one for you at this stage of your career and how you would make use of the supports outlined. 2. Who are the artists or companies with whom you currently work, where relevant. 3. How you match the criteria laid out in the “who we are looking for” section above. 4. Examples of work that you have completed that you feel is most representative of your professional practice. 3 Applications must include your CV and/or a portfolio of your work including full contact information and two references.

You should email your application to info@fieldarts.ie with “Independent Production Manager Application” in the subject line. If your application file is too large for email, you can also use WeTransfer (www.wetransfer.com) but please also send a note to info@fieldarts.ie to inform us you have applied using wetransfer and include the link to your email. If you wish to submit an application using a different format or if you have access requirements please contact info@fieldarts.ie with your request at least 4 days ahead of the deadline.

Deadline for submissions is 12th February 2024 at 5pm.

Shortlisting will take place by 19th February 2024 – if an applicant is shortlisted for interview they will be called on 29th February 2024 – interviews will take place online and remotely. Decisions will be made by the first week in March 2024.

Access Notes If you would like any of this information in a different format please contact us by email on info@fieldarts.ie. Also if you have access requirements for the application process, please email us on info@fieldarts.ie and we will be happy to discuss how we can support you through the process by phone or email.

About field:arts

field:arts is a support agency for the development of producers and artists across the independent arts sector in Ireland supported by Arts Council Ireland. field:arts is designed to enhance the creativity of the arts in Ireland by strengthening and developing the independent arts sector while growing opportunities for the most innovative & creative work to reach new audiences.

Artists credit field:arts as enabling them to achieve some of their most ambitious work to date, demonstrating excellence and artistic quality – with high audience numbers, awards and critical acclaim. They’ve pushed the boundaries of their artform while developing new opportunities & platforms for their work over the pilot phase.

field:arts vision is to act as an agile structure, underpinning artists and companies of varying scale and organisational types. We create a bedrock of consistency across production and organisational supports to build a model of professional and interdisciplinary exchange; and to cultivate and embolden growth, sustainability and ambition across the independent contemporary arts sector in Ireland.

field:arts mission

field:arts commits financial support and investment in key resources to enable practitioners across the independent arts sector to work continuously with security and consistency; offering paid retainers, skills development & mentorship. By providing a bedrock of support we afford our cohort the time to commit to their work between projects and to build a sustainable year-round practice, while positively impacting the portfolio of artists that they collaborate with.

In addition to our Senior Producers, International Mentors, Head of Production & Company Producer, field:arts has engaged a number of consultants and industry experts to provide expertise, advice and training in specialised areas which are otherwise unobtainable or financially prohibitive for an independent producer or artist to engage across Diversity training; Governance; Sustainability training, production planning, financial advice and bookkeeping.

We enable Producers to leverage additional support across the wider cultural sector by cultivating diverse approaches to fundraising, partnerships, co-commissioning and co-production models – enabling them to diversify their practice across short, medium and long term goals & objectives.

field:arts engages a global vision and connects practitioners with international opportunities to both enrich the national contemporary landscape and to broaden the scope of audiences for artists work.

field:arts is committed to establishing diverse pathways for emerging practice and practitioners, in order to grow new artists and producers across the independent sector. Central to our activity is the critical question – what must we do to ensure the future of contemporary arts practice in Ireland continues to develop in diverse and equitable ways.