Artist Support Sessions

Our team has a wealth of skills and experience in all aspects of the dance industry and can offer a range of creative and practical advice led by your needs as an artist.


We understand the daily challenges that dance artists face; the ever-changing industry, the highs and lows of freelance work and what it feels like to change lives through dance. Which is why we are excited to re-introduce our Artist Support Sessions. In these 45 minute, one-to-one sessions we can offer advice on a range of topics from navigating funding applications, to creating strategies around your work and accessing support from local artist networks.

You can choose a 45 minute slot with the following staff members depending on what you would like to focus on.

Please email [javascript protected email address] to specify if you would like this session online or in person. (Please note that some sessions are online only).

Date and time
Monday 16 - Friday 20 November 2026
Ticket Price
£Free
Book here

Cath James (she/her) - Artistic Director

Best For: Artists and producers looking for strategic career advice, funding support, and guidance on growing their practice or organisation  

Cath can support you with everything from approaching programmers and promoters, developing funding applications with budget, timeline and evaluation methodology, and building partnerships, to thinking about the bigger picture of your career. She can offer guidance on how to help artists connect the different strands of their practice and plan for long-term sustainability and growth.  

Background: With more than 40 years in dance as a performer, producer, mentor and leader, Cath brings extensive experience of artistic leadership, fundraising, strategic development, and sector networks.

Click here to book a session with Cath.

A white woman with dark hair wearing a white shirt. She is in front of a blue and pink background
Cath James. Photo Emily Edgar

Charis Crudginton (she/they) - Artists and Events Manager

Best for: Early-career artists looking for direction, creative development and support navigating opportunities.  

Charis can help you explore your artistic interests, identify next steps in your career and build confidence in your decision making. Whether you are developing a new idea, considering funding, planning an event or workshop, or figuring out what kind of creative career you want; Charis can offer a supportive space to talk things through.  

Background: Charis trained at Trinity Laban and Northern School of Contemporary Dance and understands the challenges of establishing a career as an emerging artist. They are passionate about helping artists create fulfilling and sustainable pathways through the sector.

Click here to book a session with Charis.

A person with long hair and wearing a green cardigan smiles at the camera.
Charis Crudgington

Emily James Farley (she/her) - Participation Manager

Best for: Projects that involve working with local communities and delivering outreach opportunities with marginalised groups. She has a whole host of connections within the local area.  

Emily has worked for South East Dance for 20 years, she has extensive knowledge of projects and event management. Emily loves meeting new people and supporting them to find a place in dance that best suits them.

Click here to book a session with Emily.

A photo of Emily James Farley, our Creative Communities Manager. Emily has short bobbed brown hair large red earrings and a denim top. She is smiling broadly and is pictured against a dark blue and pink background.
Emily James farley, Creative Communities Manager at South East Dance.

Linzi Whitton (she/her) - Head of Programme

Best For: Artists who want a better understanding of producing, touring, funding and project development.  

Linzi can advise you on how to turn your idea into a workable project. Giving practical advice on funding via ACE or other avenues, applications, UK touring models, working with venues, building a creative team, or understanding what a producer does and how organisations programme work.  

Background: Linzi trained as a dancer but soon realised producing was her happy place. Now with over 20 years of working as a producer, she has worked across dance, theatre, festivals participation projects, and touring, with organisations including Southbank Centre, FABRIC, Camp Bestival and WOW Festival.

Click here to book a session with Linzi.

An image of Linzi Whitton on a digital blue and pink background
SED team member Linzi Whitton

Martin Chick (he/him) - Head of Production

Best for: Artists who want to understand the technical side of performance making.  

Martin can help demystify what happens backstage and explain how to work effectively with technical teams. Martin has an extensive knowledge of all technical aspects of live performance.  If you want to know more about what happens backstage, who does what and how best to communicate your ideas to technical staff then a one-to-one session with Martin is a great start.  

Background: Martin has over 20 years' experience in live entertainment, working as a sound engineer, lighting designer and production manager across a wide range of productions.

Click here to book a session with Martin.

A man in a yellow t-shirt smiling at the camera, he has dark hair tied back and a stubbled beard
Martin Chick

Sarah Kearney (she/her) - Children and Young People Programme Manager

Best for: Artists who are creating work, performances, classes, or workshops with children and young people.   She can help if you are planning youth performances, workshops, or community projects - from performance exemption licenses to chaperone licences - Sarah can advise on the practical considerations of working with children and young people.

Background: Sarah has over twenty years of teaching experience in various settings. Having graduated as a contemporary dancer from Laban, Sarah had a brief stint as a performer before embarking on a decade-long career as a dance teacher, as well as working behind-the-scenes in a number of London venues. Alongside her work at South East Dance, Sarah can currently be found teaching Pilates across Sussex.

Click here to book a session with Sarah.

A woman in a purple top standing and smiling at the camera. She has shoulder length curly blond hair.
Sarah Kearney