stART up: Creative Practice & Business Skills

Delivered by Theatre Porto working in partnership with the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

This is a new series of free support sessions for artists, freelancers and creative organisations connected to Ellesmere Port.

Schedule of Theatre Porto events: What's on at Theatre Porto - Theatre Porto

stART up: Creative Practice & Business Skills is a series of free support sessions designed to help artists, freelancers, creative businesses and small cultural organisations strengthen their practice, communicate their ideas clearly and develop sustainable projects.

Sessions will explore:

• communicating your ideas with confidence
• developing creative projects and collaborations
• understanding finance and sustainability
• Theatre Porto’s approach to child-centred creativity

The programme combines creative practice development led by Theatre Porto with business skills support delivered by guests from the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce. Sessions are free thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund support.

Spaces are limited and booking is required.

stART up – Telling the Story of Your Work - Communicating your ideas with confidence Wednesday 25 March | 1:00–3:00pm
Led by John Jeff Hardman (Barnhill Consulting)

stART up – Developing Your Ideas Using LEGO® Serious Play
Wednesday 25 March | 3:30–5:30pm
Led by Maud Duthie (Venne Consultancy)

stART up – Knowing Your Numbers – Finance for Creatives
Thursday 26 March | 9:30–11:30am
Led by Mike Snape (Bennett Brooks)

Introduction to Child-Centred Creativity – Theatre Porto’s Approach (Online)
Thursday 26 March | 12:00–1:00pm
Led by Nina Hajiyianni, Artistic Director, Theatre Porto

Practical Child-Centred Creativity Workshop (In Person)
April 2026 – date to be confirmedOptional support surgeries
Participants can also request a 1-to-1 support surgery on Friday 27 March, offering the opportunity to discuss their work, ideas or organisation in more detail with representatives from:• West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce and Theatre Porto