From Assistant Producer to Creative Lead: My Journey with Anywhere Festival
In 2021, I joined Anywhere Festival as an Assistant Producer, eager to immerse myself in the world of live performance and event production. I had always been drawn to the way creativity could build community, spark conversation, and bridge cultural gaps. Little did I know that this role would lead me on a journey that would transform not just my career, but also how I understand the power of storytelling and community building.
Anywhere Festival is unique. Its mission is to bring performances outside of traditional venues, making art accessible in parks, homes, laneways, and other unconventional spaces. It’s about breaking down the barriers between audience and performer, creating immersive, intimate experiences that connect people to stories in ways they’ve never experienced before. When I joined, I was excited by the potential of this vision, but I also knew there would be challenges in staging such an ambitious festival. I was ready to dive in.
Learning the Ropes: Assistant Producer in 2021
As an Assistant Producer, my job was to help ensure the festival’s creative vision came to life across multiple venues. With over 50 performances scattered across Brisbane, I quickly learned the intricacies of managing event logistics, coordinating with performers, and working with a wide variety of stakeholders—from local governments to community organisations. It was a crash course in multitasking, and every day brought new challenges.
One of the key skills I developed during this time was the art of juggling—quite literally. When you’re responsible for ensuring a performance takes place in a park at sunset or a suburban backyard, the unexpected is bound to happen. I quickly learned the importance of flexibility and quick decision-making. There were times when last-minute changes were inevitable, whether due to weather, venue issues, or scheduling conflicts. In those moments, I realised that the show must go on, but it takes a calm mind and a creative solution to make sure it does.
But what really stood out to me that first year was the immense power of community. Anywhere Festival wasn’t just about putting on performances—it was about giving people the chance to experience art where they live, in spaces they’re familiar with. This broke down so many barriers between art and audience, fostering a sense of connection and accessibility that I hadn’t seen before. It was here that I began to understand the deep link between creativity and community building.
Stepping Into the Spotlight: Creative Producer in 2022
After the success of 2021, I was thrilled to be offered the role of Creative Producer for Brisbane in 2022. This was a big step up from my previous role, as I now had the responsibility of overseeing the creative vision for the entire Brisbane program. I was not only curating performances but also building relationships with artists, venues, and government stakeholders to ensure the festival continued to thrive.
As Creative Producer, I was tasked with bringing together over 100 performances across more than 30 venues, all while managing the logistics of promoting, branding, and supporting our artists. It was intense, to say the least. I found myself in conversations with government officials, working out details for site approvals, and negotiating with venue owners to find the perfect spaces for each performance.
One of the biggest challenges was making sure that our performances remained accessible to as many people as possible. This wasn’t just about ticket prices—it was about making sure that people from all walks of life could see themselves in the stories we were telling. Accessibility became a core principle in my work, and I pushed hard to ensure we had a diverse range of performances, venues, and artists.
As a producer, I honed skills in communication, organisation, and strategic planning. I learned how to balance the needs of artists with the logistical realities of staging performances in non-traditional spaces. Managing expectations was crucial—both internally with our team and externally with stakeholders. But most importantly, I learned how to lead with a creative vision while keeping the practical details in check. It was a delicate balancing act, but one that taught me so much about the relationship between creativity and leadership.
Creativity as a Bridge: The Power of Accessible Stories
Throughout my journey with Anywhere Festival, one thing became abundantly clear: creativity has the power to build and unite communities. The festival wasn’t just about watching performances—it was about creating spaces where people could come together, share stories, and engage in meaningful conversations. In these unconventional venues, something magical happened: the lines between audience and performer blurred, and suddenly everyone became part of the experience.
In many ways, these performances acted as bridges, connecting different communities and giving voice to stories that might not have been heard otherwise. From intimate one-person shows in a backyard to grand performances in public spaces, I saw how creativity could transcend boundaries and bring people closer together. This, to me, is the true power of art—it allows us to see ourselves and each other in new ways, breaking down the barriers that so often divide us.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Creative Producer was working with local artists and storytellers. Each performance was a unique reflection of the artist’s vision, and it was my job to help bring that vision to life. But more than that, it was about making sure those stories reached the right audiences. I worked closely with artists to develop promotional strategies, ensuring that their work was seen and appreciated by as many people as possible. In doing so, I realised that storytelling isn’t just about the stories themselves—it’s about how we present them, how we frame them, and how we invite others to engage with them.
Looking Forward: 2024 and Beyond
As I step into my third year as Creative Producer for Brisbane in 2024, I’m more excited than ever about the potential of Anywhere Festival. The lessons I’ve learned over the past few years have not only shaped me as a producer but have also deepened my belief in the power of accessible, community-driven art.
Staging hundreds of performances across Brisbane has given me a unique perspective on the logistics of large-scale event production, but it’s the human element that continues to inspire me. Seeing how a performance can transform a public space, how it can bring strangers together, and how it can leave a lasting impact on a community—that’s what drives me forward.
The challenges are always there—working with various government, creative, and industry stakeholders is no small task—but with each year, I’ve grown more confident in my ability to navigate these complexities. The key is to stay true to the festival’s mission: to make art accessible, to bring creativity into the everyday, and to build a sense of belonging through shared experiences.
Anywhere Festival has taught me that creativity isn’t just a tool for entertainment—it’s a powerful force for connection and change. As we move into 2024, I’m excited to continue curating world-class creative experiences that not only entertain but also inspire, unite, and empower.
At the heart of it all, I remain committed to the belief that stories are for everyone. And through Anywhere Festival, I’ll continue working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of live performance—no matter who they are or where they come from.