Currently:
Cumbria Arts & Culture Network – Development Producer, developing training, mentoring and CPD provision; funding bids; and financial systems.
Upland CIC Events & Exhibitions Co-ordinator delivering Spring Fling Open Studios event and associated activity for visual art and craft organisation based in Dumfries & Galloway.
Previously:
Rural Touring Dance Initiative
fixed term, p/t contract to Nov. 2022
Project Manager delivering short residential course introducing dance practitioners to the rural touring sector.
Highlights North
fixed term, p/t contract to Oct. 2022
Programmer for this rural touring scheme, bringing professional performances into village halls and other community venues across E. Cumbria, Northumberland and Co. Durham
Northern Rural Touring Consortium
fixed term, p/t contract Jan-April 2022
Facilitator – rural touring dance review.
Upland CIC
fixed term, p/t contract January to July 2022
Project Manager delivering Spring Fling Open Studios event, associated exhibitions and creative commissions.
Kirkgate Arts & Heritage 2015 – 2021 Artistic Director Programming performances & participatory events for Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth, and Arts Out West (West Cumbria rural touring scheme). Developing joint projects through Cumbria Family Arts Network and Northern Rural Touring Consortium. Fundraising, grant management, line management.
Litfest Lancaster 2014-15 (part time) Creative Producer for annual festival; and worked to develop year-round programme of innovative literature development. Responsible for day-to-day operations, inc. planning, programming, fundraising and managing other staff.
North West Playwrights 1999 – 2014 Co-Director, then Director. Regional agency to support and develop dramatic writers. Strategic planning, creation & management of projects, financial management, fundraising, line management, as well as extensive developmental work with individual writers.
Piccadilly Management 1997 – 1998
Co-ordinator and agent for this co-operatively owned agency. Fixed-term contract.
Freelance Radio Journalist 1986 – 1997
Producer, interviewer, presenter: BBC World Service, COI Overseas Radio, BFBS &c
The Design Council (London) 1984 – 1986 Part-time Information Officer
PROJECT WORK/FIXED TERM CONTRACTS
Theatre Spectatorship and Value Attribution January – May 2014
Assisting with the creation and management of British Theatre Consortium research project investigating how value accrues to audience members for live theatre of various forms.
The Spirit of Theatre Jan. – Oct. 2013 Project Manager – creative research into audience perceptions of the Library Theatre Company. Managing exhibition at The Lowry, Salford.
University of Bolton January – May 2013
Sessional Lecturer teaching The Writing Industry module within the BA in Creative Writing.
OTHER EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
Currently:
- Trustee on the Board of the National Rural Touring Forum
- Chair of Organising Committee for Cockermouth Live Festival
- Founder member Climate Emergency West Cumbria environmental action group
- Actor (simulated patient) for Medical Role Players (UK) Ltd
- Script Reader/dramaturg for Mikron Theatre Co.; and previously for Granada TV
Previously:
- Trainer – Developing and delivering training in presentation, customer service, management techniques and media skills for public and private sector organisations.
- Member of the British Theatre Consortium 2010-15
- Member of Board of Governers, Freshfield Nursery School 2007 – 2013
- Member of Advisory Board for Arden School of Theatre 2001 – 2005
- Board member, MARC community print facility 1998 – 2001
- Co-founder of Northern Actors’ Centre, then Chair of the Board 1996 – 2003
- Actor – most recently, in Rocket Theatre’s Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime (small & mid-scale touring 2012-2019)
- Freelance Theatre Director, including work for M6 Theatre Co., Manchester Poetry Festival at the Royal Exchange, JB Shorts
- Co-founder and Artistic Director of small-scale theatre companies: Penny Plain 1985-1995; boojum 2003 – 2013
- Teaching drama & theatre skills at international schools in London & Dublin
- Performer with Comedy Express (impro)
EDUCATION: University of York BA (Hons) in Philosophy & English (IIi)
National Arts Fundraising School 2018
Full clean driving licence. Enhanced DBS check
Chris Bridgman 