The Fi.ELD graduation 2018

19 December 2018

Image: Luca Migliore

Tuesday 27 November saw the graduation of 2018’s Fi.ELD cohort, following a jam-packed year of hands on training for the arts industry. The evening gave the cohort a chance to celebrate and reflect on their year, present themselves to industry professionals and hear inspiring advice from special guest speaker, entrepreneur, writer and philanthropist Kymberlee Jay.

“The Fi.ELD programme has been a truly enlightening experience. It has given me reassurance, confidence in myself as a creative and a motivation to keep finding my place within this sometimes very overwhelming industry.” Claudia Marciano, Fi.ELD Graduate 2018

Hosted by Fi.ELD facilitators Gemma Griffiths and Vicki Igbokwe the evening looked back on a busy year of learning from top arts industry professionals; programming and delivering content for East London Dance’s IDENTITY weekender; and pitching, curating, producing and delivering their own creative ideas at The Fi.ELD Festival.

“I have come through college, university, apprenticeships and other courses outside of the education system and nothing has been like doing the Fi.ELD programme.” Shane Gentles, Fi.ELD Graduate 2018

Through workshops, interactive performance and art instillations, The Fi.ELD Festival – InnerEast, their biggest project of the year, saw experimentation with movement across different forms, spaces and interactive media, and allowed audiences to experience dance from multiple perspectives.

“Our biggest highlight was meeting this group of creative people; being able to bounce ideas off each other; being challenged by the different ways of thinking and working; and seeing each other grow from a cohort to friends to a network of people that we’ll be able to call upon for the rest of our lives for ideas, support and collaboration.” Scout Davies, Fi.ELD Graduate 2018

It has been inspiring to see them coming together to create such a unique festival, hear the impact the programme has had on them and how excited they are to apply the knowledge to their future careers.

Highlights from the Fi.ELD Festival. Images By Chris O’Donovan:

Does this annual opportunity look like something for you? Find out more here, join our mailing list at the very bottom left of this page and look out for how to apply every autumn until 2021.

We are also expanding the Fi.ELD programme nationally to develop a network of young leaders across the country. If you would like to support young producers in your area please contact Pauline Etim-Ubah, Partnerships and Development Manager.

The Fi.ELD is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Sadler’s Wells