‘Creative Producers are agents who practically realise ideas, curate conceptual and meaningful connections between networks of people, and whose own talents [attributes] are essential for the realisation of cultural work’.
Despite this rich definition developed by Creative Producers International, much of the work undertaken by Creative Producers is not well understood. In part, this is due to the fact that there is no universal definition of the role, and also because the work is diverse, spanning multiple sectors and role types.
Creative Producers are often categorised as event or project managers, and while this is an essential skill set, it does not encapsulate the unique attributes that Creative Producers bring to an engagement.
Unlike traditional producer roles that are primarily focused on operational aspects of a project, Creative Producers bridge the gap between creativity and production - combining artistic direction, leadership skills and operational nous.
Despite the diversity that exists, I believe there are a few common attributes (or ‘talents’ as described above) that tie Creative Producers together, including:
Connectors
Connecting ideas with people, organisations and places. It is through these connections that ideas are brought to life.
Collaborators
Sharing a genuine commitment to collaborative practice. The role is interdisciplinary by nature, breaking down disciplinary and organisational barriers to support creative processes and deliver rich project outcomes.
Co-Designers
Embracing dynamic co-designed methodologies and values wherever possible - ensuring that people are at the heart of the design process.
Creative Thinkers
Finding innovative solutions to challenging problems - often with limited resources and time constraints.
Change-Adaptors
When the only constant is change, the ability to quickly adapt to dynamic situations is critical to success.
It is this unique combination of skills that can bring significant value to your project and ultimately, your organisation.
For more musings on Creative Producing and Audience Engagement, I will be establishing a blog. In the meantime, if you want to have a chat, please get in touch.
I live and work on the stolen lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and respect and acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.