I have worked across a number of roles in the arts sector since 2009, with a focus on dance and participatory arts, and artist development.
I bring an inquiring mind, a facility for research and writing, a curiosity, and a keen sense of high quality artistic practice, to all my work.
I am as comfortable with supporting artists and arts companies with strategic development as I am devising and project managing a community arts intervention. I am able to work with you on structuring and writing a funding application, and can be by your side during the artistic process in my role as a dramaturg.
I am also a Relational Dynamics coach (accredited in June 2017 by CAW). I can offer coaching sessions to artists and other individuals to facilitate their thinking about career options, goals and professional development needs. I use my coaching skills within my dramaturgy and producing roles.
I am always excited to be approached about new collaborations, proposals of projects and other opportunities. My strengths and areas of particular interest include audience development; strategic development and organisational change; community engagement and working with non-professionals; work with and for people with disabilities; devising and multi-disciplinary work; links with academia; site-specific and site-responsive work; choreographer-performer solo work.
Summary of experience:
- PhD researcher in dance dramaturgy, Coventry University (UK) and Aarhus University (DK) (2021-2025)
- Deputy Director, Fusion Arts (2020-2021)
- Programme Curator, University of Reading (2020-2021)
- Temporary Assessor, Arts Council England (2020-2021)
- Arts Development Officer, University of Reading (2018-2020)
- Dance Dramaturg (2015-) Recipient of professional development awards from Arts Council England, South East Dance, Oxford Dance Forum and others
- Arts Development Officer, Cornerstone/ South Oxfordshire District Council (2012-2017)
- Strategic Development Consultant, Anjali Dance Company (2015, 2020)
- Founder-director, Dance & Academia – Moving the Boundaries seminar/conference series (2007-2019)
- Curator, Age of Creativity website, Age UK Oxfordshire (2013-14)
- Programme Manager, Oxford Dance Forum (2010, 2012-13)
- Producer, Crossover Intergenerational Dance Company (2011-13)
- Project Manager, DanceXchange (2011-12)
- Arts Officer (Dance), Oxford City Council (2010)
- Projects Officer, Dancin’ Oxford festival (2010-11)
Selected Relevant Training/Education
- Relational Dynamics Coach, accredited by CAW (2017)
- TEST workshop on dance dramaturgy, South East Dance (2015 and 2017)
- Dramaturgy at Work workshop, Independent Dance (2015)
- Mentoring for Young People, OYAP Trust (2014)
- Mastering Management (10-day course), The Learning Curve/South Oxfordshire District Council (2013)
- Arts Award Adviser, Silver/Bronze (2010)
- BA (first class) and Masters (distinction) degrees in English and German literature, Oxford University (2004-2009)
Testimonials:
“Miranda has the skill to offer a safe space to engage with a genuine conversation. These sessions are always a journey to meet unknown spaces, to attend uncomfortable questions and reflect. I have been able to articulate my practice and pay attention to what my craft can offer.” Gemma Peramiquel
“Thanks to you and that specific session I’ve found myself saying out loud that I trust the piece – and I love that! And it’s a lot down to your brilliant contributions – be they reassurances, questions, angles and directions of thought I hadn’t seen/envisaged…It was a delight to work with you.” Segolene Tarte
“Miranda worked with artists on many occasions during her role at DanceXchange and was confident in engaging in critical feedback sessions, commenting on both the artistic process and product and correctly placing value on both. She was able to steer complicated projects to meet key milestones, negotiating some difficult situations – and was also able to be flexible and adaptable when the need arose. Her competency was often commented on by artists in evaluation meetings and her commitment to her work was highly valued by all.” Jane Ralls, former Dance Development Director at DanceXchange
“In Miranda I had a very knowing, honest viewer but also a continuity of looking that I trust and respect. Miranda has great skill in this work being able to look objectively and creatively and also ask questions that are curious but not judgmental.” Cecilia Macfarlane
“Miranda has given me more confidence in my work and the value of what I do. She is a good listener and asks perceptive questions. She has also proposed alternative ways of approaching sticking points so that they become less of an issue.
In my latest short solo, Miranda’s feedback gave me the confidence to stay with and make the most of my initial idea which contributed to the integrity of the piece.” Ana Barbour
“At all times I have found Miranda to be highly principled, committed to her work, honest, full of integrity, courteous, caring about the people she works with and for, engaged, informed and inquisitive about all kinds of arts and arts practice, full of good ideas and committed to seeing them through practically. ” Emma Dolman, former Arts Centre Director, Cornerstone
“I loved the way you asked me to clarify my intentions with an intelligent and critical mind. With prior knowledge of my artistic intentions, your observations were useful in identifying areas that needed clarification and development.” Joelle Pappas
“Miranda brings intelligence and rigour to her work and is confident working in different contexts. She is able to lead with confidence and sensitivity and is able to exercise judgement, working co-operatively with a range of stakeholders.” Prof Sarah Whatley
“Miranda builds up good working relationships with her artists, empowering supporting and building trust. She provides an outside perspective to the task at hand; offering creative solutions and ideas that have not been thought about. Miranda is dedicated to her artists and supports them well as individuals.” Jennifer Stokes