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Brighton hosts the biggest curated cross-arts festival in England, the Brighton Festival taking place across the city in the Spring. It builds on an incredibly rich arts and cultural scene, rooted in a network of partnerships, organisations and independent artists in an extraordinary architecture and landscape. In a special event on Wednesday 17 November Chief Executive Andrew Comben and Executive Producer Beth Burgess will take us behind the scenes to explain what makes it so special, the secrets of managing creativity, and how to develop a career in the arts sector in its broadest sense.

Presented as a panel discussion with Sussex experts in theatre, creative industries and policy, there will be plenty of time for audience questions. We’ll also be showcasing highlights from a range of Brighton Festivals, reflecting the visions of its legendary Guest Directors, including Sussex Honorary Doctor the writer Ali Smith, Malian musician Rokia Traoré and most recently, the poet and children’s rights champion Lemn Sissay MBE.

As the live arts scene emerges from the devastating shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, come and celebrate the story and people who are taking the Festival forward to reinvent and renew our regional and national creative economy.

This event is supported by the School of Media, Arts and Humanities, co-sponsored with the Business School and the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre at the University of Sussex. It is free of charge and all are welcome.

Andrew Comben and Beth Burgess will be in conversation with Dr Jason Price, Head of Drama and Prof Josh Siepel, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Chair: Margaretta Jolly, Professor of Cultural Studies

Booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-run-a-festival-tickets-189750477787

Live streaming is available for those unable to attend in person.

About our speakers:

Andrew Comben

Born in Australia, Andrew Comben began his UK career at Wigmore Hall in 1994, moving to artist manager for Young Concert Artists Trust and Music International. He then became Director of the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme, returning to Wigmore Hall as Head of Artistic Planning in 2003.

Andrew joined Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival as Chief Executive in 2008 and has developed a vision for the organisation as a year-round centre of artistic activity, involving all areas of the community in the performing arts. Together, the organisation reaches an annual audience in excess of 650,000 across its diverse events programme.

He established the Guest Director model for Brighton Festival in 2009, securing world renowned artists to inspire the annual programme each May, including Anish Kapoor, Laurie Anderson, Kae Tempest, David Shrigley and Lemn Sissay. The 2022 Guest Directors are Syrian architect Marwa al-Sabouni and Brighton-based theatre artist Tristan Sharps.

Andrew is currently overseeing the completion of the major refurbishment of Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre venues, due to re-open next year.  

Beth Burgess

Having travelled the world over as a Stage manager and Producer, Beth has very happily landed in Brighton and stayed in one place for over 15 years, a record. She is delighted and very lucky to be the Festival Executive Producer and Director of Production for Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival. Over the past 6 festivals she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with extraordinary artists and many of Brighton and Hove’s creative partners and communities and looks forward to continuing to do so.

Having worked with Lincoln Center, Disney, San Francisco Opera, Salzburger Festspiele, the Festival d’Automne à Paris, Munich Biennale, The Holland Festival, The Helsinki Festival along with a raft of theatres and artists from around the world has given her a passion for the vitality and importance of creativity, no matter where you come from or who you are.

Beth has produced for the Southbank Centre and The Barbican Centre before coming to Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival and has extensive experience in producing both commercial and participatory projects. She is very interested in audience and community development and believes whole heartedly that the arts are, can and should be for everyone.  

Dr Jason Price

Jason is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance. He came to Sussex in 2010 having worked previously in the Drama Department at the University of Exeter, where he also completed a PhD in 2009. As well as his work as a teacher and researcher, in his time at Sussex he has served as the Admissions Tutor for Drama, the Director of Teaching and Learning for the School of English, and currently is Head of the Drama programme. Outside of Sussex, he is one of the convenors for the International Federation for Theatre Research's Popular Entertainment's working group.

Dr Josh Siepel

Dr Josh Siepel is Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) of Management at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex Business School. His research focuses on the intersection between entrepreneurship, skills and innovation, with particular reference to the role of creative industries and creative skills in the economy. He currently works with the AHRC Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), where he is workstrand lead for Clusters, Innovation and Access to Finance.

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