Joanne Merritt

What gave you the idea to be a freelance community practitioner?

I have been a part of it all my life but never knew it had a name! I was inspired by arts companies and other community dance practitioners.

What were you doing at the time you had the idea?

As I said before I was a part of it for most of my life and so it wasn’t until I realised I could study it at university that I knew that was what I wanted to do!

What was the first thing you did to try and make the idea happen?

Went to university, met some amazing, inspiring people, carried out work experience, volunteered, observed other artists and kept dancing!

Who helped you, and how?

Lecturers knew a lot of people that I got in touch with, I went to see amazing productions of community arts that inspired me to do that! My friends and other fellow artists encouraged me and pushed me to do my best.

Has anyone influenced you and if so who?

Companies such as Chicken Shed and Oily Cart, both based in London, Anjali based in Oxfordshire, other non-famous artists who put their heart and soul in to it for free!!

What obstacles did you encounter along the way?

A lot of ignorance towards community arts, people didn’t know what it was and therefore saw it as a micky mouse degree! When in fact we studied anthropology, psychology, rites of passage, child protection and trained in the arts. At first this was quite hard to deal with, but now I pity them for not knowing what Community Arts is! Its everywhere but it doesn’t always have a label on it.

When did the idea start looking viable?

At the end of my second year I was asked by an agency that was looking for artists if I’d like to work for them. This is what I needed as a boost and made me realise that I can do it.

Future plans for the idea?

I am working as a freelancer all the time but as people know it is difficult when you do not have a regular income and do not know much about marketing. So I would love to carry on working as a freelancer but get more and more work so I have a steadier income and more credibility.

How do you encourage enterprise in Liverpool / your company?

Liverpool is a great place to encourage enterprise, because it is not that big and so getting heard and getting in contact with the relevant people etc is achievable. Carrying out projects is so much fun, because you are working with new creative artists, young people, people from different backgrounds and so you are always stimulated and inspired.

Advice to anyone else who wants to make their idea happen?

Do it, it is hard work and you do have do nurture it, put your back out and put in a lot of your own money, but it’s worth it!