Meet our 2024-2025 Mentor cohort!
Agnieszka Swida
I have worked in arts marketing and communications for over 13 years, currently as a Marketing Campaigns Manager at The Lyceum Theatre. I’ve worked on marketing campaigns of all scales, from independent touring productions, international theatre festival and a showcase of Scottish work on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Before joining the arts sector, I worked for a social enterprise. This will be my second year of being a mentor and I am very excited about it. From my experience, mentoring gives you the opportunity to pause, reflect and focus on your personal/professional development. It creates space in which those amazing ‘a-ha!’ moments happen and, as a mentor, it’s a great privilege to be a part of it.
anna kenrick
Artistic Director
I was appointed Artistic Director of YDance in 2011 and was appointed a joint CEO in 2024, driving all the strategic development of the programme for YDance. From idea creation to project delivery, I work with our fantastic team of dance artists and operational staff to ensure Scotland has a range of dance projects in different communities and settings to allow children and young people from a range of backgrounds to learn about and through dance. I am a trainer, facilitator, choreographer, manager, teacher, artist and instigator. I am looking forward to the 2025 FST programme, it is vital that people have time and space to think, reflect and make changes so they can be the best version of themselves and achieve their goals.
Eleanor Scott
Administrative Producer
I have worked for Vanishing Point for over 15 years. I have experience of project and production development (everything from large-scale international productions to small-scale micro tours) artist development, fundraising, strategic development and facilities management. I am particularly interested in supporting work that doesn’t follow traditional trajectories and brings together different art-forms and genres. am also interested in how we develop work for and with rural communities in Scotland. I am on the Board of both The Touring Network and Framework Theatre. I am looking forward to working with a mentee to bring about personal development and change – my experience so far has been very rewarding, and I have learnt a lot about myself and my own development during the process.
Janice Gilmour
Executive Director
I’ve been in venue management now for 25 years so have a wealth of experience of venue and staff management. Having worked in a small Council run theatre, to a mid-scale Council/Trust venue to now heading up an independent, social enterprise, charity-run, iconic Scottish theatre. Having faced many challenges over the years and having had a few good mentors along the way I think it’s my time to give back and support the next generation. I hope that I can utilise my skills to support mentees on their own journey and through their own challenges. I will provide a safe space and mentorship to help mentees rise to any challenges ahead and reach their full potential.
Jim Manganello
Artistic Director
I’m the co-artistic director of Shotput, a dance-theatre company I founded in Glasgow in 2018. Before and alongside that, I work as a freelance director, performer, and teacher, and I enjoy working across different forms and directly with different communities. Originally from Detroit, I learned theatre on the job in Chicago before training in Belgium and eventually making my home in Scotland. My path has been twisted and it took me a while to find a ‘spine’ that felt right. As such, I’m especially looking forward to working with mentees to craft their own peculiar journeys.
Matthew Belsey
environmental reporting and Data Manger
I am the Environmental Reporting and Data Manager at Creative Carbon Scotland, an organisation that supports the cultural sector to contribute to the transformational change to a more environmentally sustainable Scotland. My background is in data and climate change but since joining Creative Carbon Scotland 2 years ago I have been fully immersed in the workings of the Scottish cultural sector as I explore the best ways to support the diverse range of organisations and individuals across Scotland. As a mentor, I am most looking forward to helping my mentee reach that lightbulb moment when everything falls into place!
Mhairi Robinson
Founder & Executive Producer
I am the founder & Executive Producer of Independent Arts Projects (IAP), a Leith based arts charity who regularly collaborate with theatre makers and participative artists. I have produced arts projects and run small arts organisations for about 15 years, and I am interested in inclusive arts practice and processes. I am most looking forward to working with mentees to take steps towards achieving their goals and moving on in their careers.
Pamela A Walker
Senior Producer
With over 20 years of experience as an arts producer, I am dedicated to supporting and advocating for children, artists, and communities. Since joining Imaginate in August 2016, I have been responsible for producing the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, the Creative Development programme, overseeing Theatre in Schools Scotland, and contributing to key projects and the company’s strategic development. I’m really excited about the chance to mentor someone, helping them steer challenges and grow in their artistic journey. I look forward to offering guidance and encouragement as they navigate their unique path in the arts.’
Rosie Kellagher
Dramaturg
I’m Dramaturg at National Theatre of Scotland, working closely with artists of all disciplines to develop new projects, as well as supporting the programming of the organisation. I have over twenty years’ experience in dramaturgy, artist development, producing and programming with companies large and small, building-based and touring, around the UK, working on everything from gig theatre in fringe spaces to large-scale musicals, and from international work to rural touring. Some of my favourite career moments have been those where “the problem” becomes “the idea” which is shaped into “the plan” and I’m looking forward to supporting mentees to meet challenges in their own unique way.
Seona McClintock
Creative Director
I am a creative producer with experience in artist development, multilingual work, touring theatre, music festivals, venue programming and running a company. I am currently the Creative Director of Theatre Gu Leòr. As a previous mentee, I appreciate how great it can be to have the space to work things out and have someone challenge you in a helpful way. I am looking forward to bringing about some real lightbulb moments with my mentee(s), led by curiosity, creativity and compassion. Outside of work I am an avid football fan, a beginner Bridge player and an enthusiastic sock knitter.
Susan Whyte
Head of Creative Engagement
I lead on APA’s Engagement programme, including year-round arts participation activity, Light The Blue Youth Arts festival, produce work including cabarets and artist led curated festivals and on developing partnerships to support the work APA delivers. With a strong commitment to inclusion and relevance and finding ways to dismantle barriers to participation, I am passionate about the role the arts can play in making a positive difference to individuals, communities and the city. As a mentor, I am looking forward to being a sounding board, supporting mentees through professional and personal development and helping navigate whatever may be blocking their path.
Susannah Armitage
Senior Producer
Susannah Armitage is a Producer with over twenty years of experience. At Eden Court she is responsible for the Live Performance Team and programme, in house and co-productions and Artist Support. She also chairs the Access and Inclusion Working Group. Prior roles include Programme Director and Head of Producing for the National Theatre of Scotland, Producer for Vox Motus and Producer and latterly Chief Executive for A Play, A Pie and A Pint. Having benefitted enormously from formal and informal mentorship throughout my career, she is looking forward to supporting other people through the mentorship process.