Ben Wilson reflects on his Extant journey

 

Why should visually impaired artists apply to be Extant’s Trainee Artistic Director? 

This job is a unique opportunity. Normally, artistic leaders are thrown in at the deep end with no opportunity to develop their skills. This is a tool which exists where it’s slightly more than just dipping your toe in. It’s maybe dipping a leg in or dipping an arm in, or maybe it’s been thrown in the deep end but with a life jacket still. The transition from being an artist to an artistic director is a strange one, one that’s hard to prepare for. This job is an opportunity to grow, learn and develop and explore what it means to be an artistic director and what you might need to develop to fill a role like that.  

This is an opportunity that not many people get. I thought this was such an exciting job when I first saw it, and I was delighted to get the chance to do the job myself. 

 

How has the role helped you as an artist? 

I’ve had the opportunity to develop artistic projects of my own, work on existing Extant projects and meet, collaborate and develop relationships with other visually impaired artists. All of which have helps me plant seeds for exciting artistic adventures to come. 

For me it’s been invaluable, I now feel 100 times more confident that if I wanted to become an artistic director, then I could. I am prepared for the challenges, the ups and the downs, and the idea of what a position of leadership looks like. 

I think, as an artist I’ve continued to develop as well, and I’ve developed a lot in terms of the operational side of running an organization. 

One of the things I’ve gained during my time is that I have deepened my networks and connections, whether that’s with all the visually impaired artists I’ve managed to meet or Extant’s industry partners or theatres, theatre companies, or individual artists, funders and board members. These are the people that you don’t really get to meet when you’re an independent artist, and to build relationships with people like that has been invaluable. 

 

What’s your favourite thing about working for Extant? 

I find it incredibly exciting to work for an organisation whilst it’s going through a period of change and discovering what its next chapter might be. Being part of those conversations is fascinating, exciting and thrilling. To tap into the extensive network that Extant has of the artists, industry partners and the VI community has been profoundly significant to me.  

To get to work with such experienced people and learn from them, and knowing they’ve got your back, has been so exciting. There have been amazing training opportunities in terms of developing you as an administrator, as an operational leader and an artist.  

 

What are you most proud of? 

I am proud of the collaborations I have had with Extant staff and VI artists. If being a leader is 90% managing people, I have enjoyed building positive working relationships with talented people in the organisation and outside. I am proud of my collaborations with VI artists.  

 

What advice would you give the next TAD? 

Get stuck in. Learn to be both self-motivated and to collaborate with your colleagues. 15 months may seem like a long time at the start of your time, but it will fly by. Get cracking with the things you want to achieve sooner rather than later, or you’ll find the time disappearing beneath your fingers. Make the most of every second of this unique and exciting opportunity. 

From day one, jump into the projects that you want to do get them up and running straight away. Book training and think about what you want to achieve, because you’ve got the backing and support of the Extant team and you’ve got this great platform to do great work and to be ambitious. 

If you’re someone who has leadership ambition, a great work ethic and creative ideas, and a passion for making the theatre industry a better one for visually impaired people. There is no better opportunity for you than this one. Give it a go, get stuck in and you will not regret it. 

Applications close for our TAD role on August 16th at 10am. To find out more, head to our recruitment page here. 

 

Ben Wilson, Trainee Artistic Director, August 2024.