Producer:Mothers Who Make

JOB ADVERT

Producer: Mothers Who Make

Mothers Who Make (MWM) is a grassroots national initiative aimed at supporting mothers who are artists - professional and/or passionate – working in any art form: every kind of maker is encouraged to engage and every kind of mother. In 2017 MWM secured Arts Council England funding and ran a successful crowdfunding campaign to support the growth of its regional peer- support hubs, implement a digital strategy and develop creative practice. Mothers Who Make is now therefore seeking a producer to help us to carry out this work. The role is part-time for 5.5 months but has the exciting potential to be extended into an ongoing position subject to funding.

Mothers Who Make began as an invitation to mother-artists, across art forms, to join a facilitated peer support group in London. It rapidly gained tremendous traction from mother-makers across the UK and from a range of arts organizations and cultural leaders. Since its inception in 2014 it has reached over 3000 people, been implemented nationally in 14 venues, including The Southbank Centre, Bristol Old Vic and Northern Stage. MWM’s social media networks have connected hundreds of mother-makers, cultivating a following of engaged artists who share the challenges/learnings specific to being both a mother and an artist, enabling the emergence of a thriving community of support.

To date we have established 5 active MWM groups across the country in Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Halifax and London. There are currently partners in place for a further 12 hubs to be established and new enquiries arriving every week. In 2017 we also ran an incubation space at the National Theatre of 8 artists over a 4 month R&D period. These artists have been offered micro-commissions to explore their experiences of holding the dual roles of mother and artist. Their work is intended to act as a resource and participative invitation to others both through workshops and digital engagement. The work will be shared on the MWM website and presented with an end of project sharing at The National Theatre.

MWM aims to reflect the plurality of ways that artists make meaning of motherhood and communicate the complex diversity of experience present within the field. Whilst MWM has inspired related initiatives (e.g. the PIPA campaign) it remains unique in that at its heart, MWM is a process of ongoing artistic research, lead by Matilda Leyser. Leyser poses this question: “Mother and artist, both are creative practices – how can the two inform each other and how can this exchange inform the wider cultural landscape? Instead of mothers dropping out, how can we develop what they learn and transform this as a resource to improve practices and output?” MWM holds space for this unfolding research.

With funding and many key partners already in place the producer will be responsible for developing these existing relationships as well as extending our reach still further. The producer will take an active role in the branding of MWM and the building of our website to create a vibrant online home, connecting all the hubs. Additional responsibilities will include: contracting the commissioned artists; managing the budget; leading on MWM’s marketing; seeking further fundraising opportunities; leading on our evaluation process. The producer will work closely alongside MWM’s artistic director, Matilda Leyser. Leyser is an associate director of Improbable, who will be able to offer limited support such as desk space, mentoring and some social media output.

We are seeking a candidate with relevant experience in producing theatre or arts projects, and with experience of marketing campaigns and managing activities with a range of partners. We want someone who is committed to the principles and practices that inform Mothers Who Make and who is interested in its long term potential.

The role is offered on a freelance contract basis with a fee of £3000. Application is by CV and covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 outlining why you are interested in the role and what excites you about Mothers Who Make. Applicants are welcome from anywhere within the UK. The role can be largely fulfilled from home, with occasional face to face meetings taking place in London. Applications or any queries about the role should be sent by email to Matilda Leyser on [email protected] The deadline is Feb 16th at 5pm.

Mothers Who Make Producer Producer: Outline of responsibilities

We are aiming to complete the project within the next 5 to 6 months. We are looking for the producer to begin work ASAP. All work will be carried out in collaboration with the project’s artistic director, Matilda Leyser.

The producer's key responsibilities are:

• Developing relationships with existing partners across the regions as well as establishing new ones. Partners include both artists and diverse arts-related venues: theatres, galleries and museums. • Working with the artistic director to engage a graphic designer to develop the MWM brand. • Together with the artistic director and designer, assisting in the building of the MWM website which will connect all partners nationally. • Developing and managing MWM’s social media presence on FB, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. • Contracting the commissioned artists and supporting them with the organizational and participative aspects of their commissions. • Liasing with the National Theatre with regards to the end of project sharing, overseeing the scheduling and the technical management of this event. Issuing invitations to all relevant partners. • Following up on the crowdfunding campaign. Helping to order and deliver promised rewards (t-shirts, bags, badges). Capitalising on the contacts and interest generated during the campaign. • Managing and maintaining MWM’s relationship with Arts Council England, together with the artistic director. • Managing the project budget, including controlling income and expenditure; negotiating terms with partners and suppliers where relevant; and financial reconciliation of the project. • Leading on marketing, press and outreach campaigns for the project, including writing and distributing press releases and managing relationships with marketing partners. • With the artistic director, contributing to MWM’s fundraising strategy for future development and taking an active role in fundraising opportunities, looking towards making MWM sustainable with limited organizational support from Improbable from 2019 onwards. • Taking the lead role on evaluation of the project, including collecting data from participants/ artists/ audiences and partners and compiling evaluation reports for funders and other stakeholders.

This list is not exhaustive and the producer's role is likely to include other ad hoc tasks relevant to the position. It is estimated that the role will involve around 1 day’s work per week.