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October

IETM Focus Bradford 2025 - 22-24 October 2025 With international relations having entered a new period of upheaval, we come together in Bradford to consider what this means for the future of cross-border creative collaboration. Join me on the 23rd of October when I will be leading a workshop that will explore how the cultural sector can become stronger advocates for the international relationships that fuel our work and values, with practical examples. The session will also provide an opportunity to engage in discussion on EU–UK relations in the post-Brexit landscape.

Many Hats s a new initiative that offers professional development workshops specifically tailored to freelancers, providing the kind of skills development and career support it is hard to find elsewhere. I will be joining Amber Massie-Blomfield, Sarah Brin, Mahmood R., Maz Hedgehog, Eleanor Turney and Kat Brown to lead the first workshops, covering everything from climate literacy to pitching and partnerships, via freelancing as a neurodiverse person and Making Tax Digital. Thanks to generous support from Clore Leadership, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Birmingham Hippodrome, Lodestone Media and others, there are low-cost places available on every workshop, allocated by lottery to remove admin and application barriers. Join me on the 29th January in Birmingham for the following workshop:

Global perspectives: learning from other models - Arts funding in the UK has been repeatedly squeezed over the past two decades, with standstill funding, cuts, redundancies and fewer opportunites. With arts council grants growing ever-more competitive, how can you make creative work? Nadine Patel brings a wealth of international expertise to explore how artists and creatives across the world find ways to make their art, without government funding, without a culture of philanthropy or during unstable political times. With case studies and learning from across the globe, Nadine will help you to rethink your creative practise or project for the current UK climate. 

Or book any of the other workshops via: Events | Many Hats — Professional development for freelancers — Many Hats

September 2025

Had a great time delivering a workshop to the Sadler’s Wells Young Associates sharing insight on how they might start to develop the careers internationally. I am also looking forward to joining IETM’s Focus Bradford 2025 in October to deliver a session on policy development and the arts (more details to be shared soon). I’m also thrilled to have found out I’ve been selected to participate in this year’s Creative United’s Re:Create programme.

June 2025

Had a great day facilitating Just Us Dance Theatre’s Board away day, a sector leading Hip Hop organisation founded and driven by Artistic Director Joseph Toonga. Just Us aims to bring together, support and up-skill young Hip Hop dancers and early career artists from different backgrounds across the UK and internationally.

May 2025

I am currently working as an international consultant for SICK! in Manchester who last year appointed a new Artistic Director, Tracy Gentle. SICK! works with artists and marginalised communities to explore mental, physical and social challenges through art. They develop year-round projects in social prescribing, community engagement, public realm work and digital as well as a biennal festival. There is currently an open call as part of a collaboration with the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland and Oulu2026 - European Capital of Culture 2026 they are currently seeking 3 Manchester based artists to co-create participatory works for the ambitious Beyond Survival: International Time Travel project take a look.

Also, I am thrilled to be working with caravan assembly again as a mentor. caravan assembly is a biennial event that introduces a selection of the brightest England-based theatre-makers to an audience of festival and venue programmers from around the world. It takes place as part of the Brighton Festival, and it’s emphasis has always been on building meaningful relationships, rather than ‘selling’.

Finally, it was wonderful to have been one of the freelancers who was invited to participate in the development of The Creative Freelancers Climate Almanac - it's a much needed resource. Thanks to all the other kind souls that formed the freelance group and a extra special thanks to Hannah Graham who did the hard graft & JB. The final resource is going to be really valuable and it's so beautiful it really makes you want to dive in.

March 2025

I have been included in the pool of qualified candidates that UNESCO can consult when forming evaluation teams, managed by the Division of Internal Oversight Services for UNESCO.

I spent March focusing on smaller activities rather than working on a big project. This was partly because I recently assessed five different funding competitions. Nonetheless, I had a great time facilitating a Board away day for The Paper Birds which included a presentation on the policy landscape for culture and creative education—both in the UK and internationally.

I also started working with Malik Nashad Sharpe on some strategic planning for 2025 and beyond. In addition, I had the chance to meet up with two of my new mentees (one producer and one artist). I’m continuing to support Stuart Waters with fundraising, and I’ve now facilitated the final session of the African Festival Leader Mentoring Programme (some exciting updates about this will be shared later in the year).

January 2025 J-

As a Trustee of Transform, I recently signed up to Julie’s Bicycle Board Environmental Champions programme. This programme connects a network of climate champions, who are putting environmental responsibility at the heart of governance.

And finally for January, Join me and my fellow panellists on the 31st January for a dynamic and wide ranging discussion about careers in the arts. Hosted by b-side director Rocca Holly-Nambi .