The BAC Young Producers programme gives 16-29 year olds the chance to organise and curate part of Battersea Arts Centre’s annual youth takeover, Homegrown Festival. We caught up with participant Joshua to see how they’re getting on…
Hi Joshua, tell us a bit about yourself
I’m currently a Marketing & Audience Development Officer at the Gate Theatre. Although I come from an arts marketing background I’ve been thinking a lot about getting closer to making art happen, in particular making work with queer and BAMER artists.
Why did you want to get involved in the Young Producers programme?
I’ve been wanting to sit in on rehearsals, to read more scripts and to have conversations with directors and creatives – but these things seemed inaccessible to me because I don’t know many people in London and have never studied in the performing arts (also artists seem to not trust marketers!). Becoming a producer seemed like a logical step for me, but I felt clueless and unequipped to make this happen until I found the Young Producers programme and got accepted.
How are you finding the programme so far?
I’m stoked to be a part of Young Producers, I love Battersea Arts Centre as a community-powered art space and the programme has given me the access I’ve needed to other like-minded people who want to impact the arts.
I moved to London from Australia about a year ago now and was finding it so frustrating not getting accepted into arts jobs or training opportunities; now I’m surrounded by such an amazing mix of young people and we’re all learning together. I’m mostly excited about receiving mentoring and getting practical experience.
Great! What have you been working on?
I’m working on the Homegrown Festival Party and am taking over one of the spaces inside Battersea Arts Centre to programme a queer art and performance showcase. I love the idea of these artists creating work inside a 125 year-old, historic community building.
Is there anything you can reveal about your plans for the party?
Expect rebellious energy, a smorgasbord of artistic experiences, and undiscovered talent.
> Find out more about the Young Producers programme
> See this year’s Homegrown Festival line-up , 4 – 9 April