Monthly Archives: November 2015

BUY TICKETS WITH CONFIDENCE

On Tuesday 24th November, the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is leading an awareness campaign titled #lookfortheSTAR aiming to reduce ticket fraud for entertainment and sports events by encouraging customers to look for the ‘STAR mark’ when buying tickets. This mark is used by members of STAR who sign up to a strict Code of Practice, which requires high levels of service, information and protection, and guarantees that the ticket is from a reliable source.

Sadler’s Wells is a member of STAR, and alongside all the ticket agents we work with, signs up to the STAR code of practice.

Buying from a STAR member offers the same sort of reassurance you get when buying a holiday through an ABTA or ATOL registered travel agent.

STAR members can be identified by the STAR mark and through the STAR website (www.star.org.uk).

The #lookfortheSTAR campaign is gathering support from individuals and organisations right across the British entertainment industry, including the Concert Promoters Association (CPA), National Arenas Association (NAA) and Society of London Theatre. The campaign is also being supported by Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and Action Fraud.

Sadler’s Wells’ voices: Verity Casey on her Development Assistant placement

In April 2015, Sadler’s Wells was announced as one of the partners taking part in the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme, a new talent development initiative creating work and training opportunities for 40 graduates in different arts organisations across the UK. Thanks to the programme, we were able to offer a one-year placement in our Development department. Verity Casey was the successful candidate securing the Development Assistant post. We spoke to her to find out how she is finding the placement and what she has been learning.

What is your background?

I come from a creative background. Having completed a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Camberwell College of Art, I moved up north to study Fine Art at Newcastle University. I spent my time producing video and installation work. As part of the course, we had to raise enough funds to put on our final degree show exhibitions in Newcastle and London. I revelled in the challenge of this and soon became excited by the process of finding creative and compelling ways to raise funds. I furthered my experience by volunteering with Age UK’s fundraising and events team in Gateshead, but was keen to gain experience of fundraising in the arts.

How did you find out about the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme?

I found out about the programme online during a persistent search for a graduate job, but was then actually sent the role at Sadler’s Wells by the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy programme. I was very excited when I found out about the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries, as it was at last an opportunity to gain experience in an established arts organisation without having to do unpaid work experience.

Why did you apply to work at Sadler’s Wells?

I hadn’t had much involvement with dance since clumsy childhood ballet lessons, but I knew Sadler’s Wells had a reputation for showcasing the best contemporary and innovative works. The role was specifically for a graduate like me and offered an amazing opportunity to gain experience of fundraising in the arts. I get to see so many incredible performances as part of my job, so my relationship with dance was soon rekindled!

What does your placement involve?

I am responsible for assisting the individual giving team in looking after our members and patrons. Some of my day-to-day tasks include putting together membership packs, coordinating mailings and producing marketing and communications to send to our supporters. I have also carried out research about potential supporters. Our autumn/ winter season is ongoing and I have been assisting in organising a series of events for our patrons, including a fundraising Gala we held at the end of October.

What have you learned so far?

I have acquired a general knowledge of the process of gaining and maintaining support from individual donors. I have also learnt to accurately administer a membership scheme, use a CRM database to record information and send out all types of communications. As I get to see more shows, I hope to learn more about Sadler’s Wells’ artistic programme and increase my knowledge of the dance world.

What do you particularly enjoy as part of the placement?

Sadler’s Wells is a really fun place to work, everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. I have particularly enjoyed helping to organise the varied programme of events we hold for our members and patrons. Our patrons’ nights are a great opportunity to interact with our supporters and talk to them about the amazing programme of dance that Sadler’s Wells presents.

What do you find is the most challenging aspect of it?

The amount of admin involved doesn’t always agree with my need to be creative, but I realise that it is a hard thing to escape in life.

How do you feel the placement will benefit your career?

The Weston Jerwood Creative bursaries specifically target recent arts graduates whose circumstances mean they would not be in a position to undertake unpaid work experience. Taking part in the programme has given me the opportunity to develop my skills and add to my CV, as well as to experience what it’s like to work in an arts organisation. I believe the internship will give me the chance to really begin my career in the arts industry, increasing my confidence and helping me to stand out when applying to positions in future.

What advice would you give to other graduates doing a placement through the programme?

I think the programme provides amazing opportunities for recent graduates to get a foot in the door in some of the best arts organisations in the country. I would advise anyone who is eligible to really take the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the organisation they are in, and get to meet as many different people as possible. It is good to be able to use your time on the programme to try out a new career path and find out if it’s something you want to pursue.

 

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Sadler’s Wells announces Spring/ Summer 2016 programme

A new contemporary programme commissioned for Russian ballet star Natalia Osipova, horses and a multi-installation experience with no dancers all feature in Sadler’s Wells’ upcoming season.

The Spring/ Summer 2016 season was announced at our Annual Press Conference today. Here are some of the highlights.

RESIZED 3 Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant, Arthur Pita_Natalia Osipova_29 June - 3 July_© Nikolai Gulakov

Russian ballet star Natalia Osipova takes a leap into the world of contemporary dance in a triple bill specially commissioned for her, co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Moscow’s Muz Art Management Company.

The production features choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Russell Maliphant, who are Associate Artists at Sadler’s Wells, as well as Arthur Pita. Dancer Sergei Polunin also appears in the programme.

RESIZED 4 Michael Hulls Nitin Sawhney Lucy Carter_No Body_7 - 12 June_© Nick Hillel

In an unprecedented exploration of lighting, sound and projection, in June we turn our building inside out for the world premiere of No Body. This series of immersive, multi-sensory installation works will bring together the essential elements of a dance performance – without the physical presence of dancers.

Lighting designer and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Hulls invites the audience onto the main stage to experience LightSpace, an immersive installation challenging our mood and senses.  Composer Nitin Sawhney, also a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, creates a music, sound and animation trail, while lighting designer Lucy Carter presents pop-up installations in unusual spaces around our building.

GOLGOTA - Nouvelle creation de Bartabas - Avec : Bartabas et Andres MARIN - Aux Haras d Annecy - Le 07 10 2013 - Photo : Nabil BOUTROS/WikiSpectacle Mention et droits obligatoires pour la presse Nationale - WIKISPECTACLE : 01 40 28 08 90

In March, horses join dancers onto the Sadler’s Wells stage for the UK premiere of Golgota by French artist Bartabas.

The breath-taking work, featuring flamenco dancer Andrés Marín and dramatic Gregorian chants, is inspired by the theatricality of sacred rituals such as the Holy Week in Seville, Spain.

 

Other exciting highlights of the upcoming season include new work by Associate Artists Akram Khan, Crystal Pite and BalletBoyz, Associate Company English National Ballet, our New Wave Associate Alexander Whitley and circus company The 7 Fingers, as well as work by international companies Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and Rosas. More details on the new season are available here

The Spring/ Summer 2016 season goes on sale at 10am on Monday 9 November. www.sadlerswells.com

 

Photo: Sadler’s Wells’ Chief Executive and Artistic Director Alistair Spalding (centre) with dancers Sergei Polunin and Natalia Osipova.