workshops, training & program consulting
What if it turns out even better..?
What if it turns out even better..?
I help arts organisations, councils, and government bodies build stronger artists, stronger programs, and stronger systems - through facilitated workshops, program design, and strategic consulting grounded in 13 years across the arts sector.
Whether you need a single high-impact workshop for your creative community or a full review of your grants program, I bring the same thing: deep sector experience, real facilitation skill, and a practical approach your people can actually use.
Workshops & Facilitation
Build capability in your creative community
I design and deliver workshops that turn confused, hesitant artists into confident, strategic ones — and give your staff, boards, or industry stakeholders practical tools they'll actually use afterwards.
Topics I run:
→ Marketing and audience-building - a strategic framework for reaching the right people, without the burnout of trying to be everywhere at once.
→ Grant writing: the inside scoop - what assessors actually look for, from someone who sits on both sides of the table.
→ Building a sustainable creative business - not a burnout machine.
→ The creative career pivot - how to navigate a major transition without losing yourself, or your income.
→ Or something built for your cohort. If your artists need something specific, I'll design it.
Formats
→ Public workshops for wider creative communities
→ Cohort-based workshops for artists-in-residence, grant recipients, or program participants
→ Masterclasses on a specific skill
→ Industry charrettes and facilitated sessions that turn stakeholder input into usable recommendations
→ Assessor briefings and panel training
Delivery
90 minutes to 2 hours, online or onsite, tailored to group size - from small cohorts to 100+.
Tell me your group size, topic, and timing, and I'll send you a clear proposal.
Recent Project
Currently consulting to Inner West Council on a comprehensive review and redesign of their cultural grants program—one of their most popular and heavily applied-for funding rounds. This includes auditing the existing program, developing new assessment frameworks, and redesigning application processes to improve clarity and accessibility while maintaining alignment with council priorities.
Client
Inner West Council
Year
2026
Funding Program Review & Development
Is your grants program actually serving the artists and communities you want to support? I review existing funding rounds and programs to identify what's working, what's not, and where improvements can make a real difference.
I can help you:
→ Audit current funding programs for clarity, accessibility, and effectiveness
→ Redesign application processes to reduce barriers for applicants and improve overall application quality
→ Develop assessment frameworks that are fair, transparent, and aligned with your priorities
→ Create guidelines and criteria that attract the right applications
→ Improve feedback mechanisms so unsuccessful applicants can learn and improve
Whether you're launching a new funding program or refining an existing one, I'll help you create systems that work for everyone.
Strategic & Business Planning
Strong strategy isn't about thick documents that sit on shelves. It's about clarity, focus, and actionable direction that your entire organisation can rally behind.
I work with you to:
→ Develop strategic plans that reflect your vision and values
→ Facilitate strategic planning sessions with boards, staff, and stakeholders
→ Create clear, realistic goals and measurable outcomes
→ Align your strategy with sector needs and government priorities
→ Strengthen cases for funding, sponsorship, or investment
→ Develop new business plans for initiatives, programs, or expansion
→ Create realistic implementation timelines and success metrics
→ Review and refresh existing business plans that are outdated or not working
I bring strategic thinking grounded in organizational psychology and real-world arts sector experience—not corporate jargon.
Program Development
Strong programs don't just happen—they're carefully designed, resourced, and managed. I help organisations and government develop and refine programs that deliver meaningful impact for artists and communities.
My experience includes:
→ Managing a $2.5 million program serving artists and young people across NSW
→ Developing and delivering multiple mentorship programs for councils and arts organisations
→ Designing programs that balance artistic ambition with operational reality
→ Building partnerships and stakeholder engagement strategies
→ Creating evaluation frameworks to measure impact and inform improvement
Whether you're launching something new or improving what you've already got, I bring strategic thinking, sector knowledge, and proven program management expertise to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I work with arts organisations, local councils, state government bodies, funding agencies, and cultural institutions across Australia. My clients range from small regional arts organisations to large government agencies.
Common projects include reviewing and redesigning grants programs, developing strategic plans, creating new artist support initiatives, and improving internal systems to better serve the creative sector.
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Every organisation is different, so I tailor my approach to your specific needs, capacity, and timeline.
Typical engagements include:
Initial consultation to understand your needs and goals
Research, analysis, and stakeholder consultation (where relevant)
Development of recommendations, frameworks, or documentation
Presentation and workshopping with your team or board
Implementation support and training (if needed)
Follow-up review and refinement
I work collaboratively, transparently, and with a focus on practical outcomes you can actually use.
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I've spent over 13 years managing arts organisations, running major programs, and securing millions in funding and partnerships across Australia, Europe, and the US.
Highlights include managing a $2.5 million program serving artists and young people across NSW, developing and delivering multiple mentorship programs for councils and arts organisations, working at major theatre companies and venues internationally, and sitting on both sides of the grants table as an applicant, assessor, and program designer.
I bring strategic insight grounded in organisational psychology and real-world sector experience—I've done the work, not just studied it.
Commitment to equity: I design systems and policies that work for everyone, especially underrepresented artists and communities.
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I've been on both sides of the table. I've written the grants, assessed the grants, designed the programs, managed the budgets, and dealt with the bureaucracy. That means I understand what actually works—not just what looks good in a strategy document.
I bring evidence-based practice from organizational psychology, but I translate it into plain language without corporate jargon. I focus on practical, implementable solutions that account for your actual capacity and resources. And I genuinely care about strengthening the creative sector—this isn't just consulting work, it's about building systems that serve artists and communities better.
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I work on a project basis with fees tailored to scope, complexity, and your budget. Every engagement is different, so pricing depends on what you need.
After our initial conversation, I'll provide a clear proposal outlining the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and fees. I'm transparent about costs upfront—no surprises.
For government and larger organisations, I can work within standard procurement processes. For smaller organisations with limited budgets, I'm happy to discuss what's feasible and prioritize the work that will have the most impact.
Get in touch and we'll figure out what makes sense for your project.
“Cat, it was a pleasure to meet you and we really appreciated your generosity in sharing valuable information and knowledge! The work was very enagaging and super informative! ”
— Former Organisation Client
lets talk
If you're looking for a funding review, strategic support, or program development, I'd love to hear about what you're working on.
Contact me via the form here to discuss your needs, timeline, and how I can help.