Natalie Chan
London, GB
Bio
Natalie is a tenacious, innovative arts leader and independent producer based in Hong Kong and UK. She was most recently Executive Director at Streatham Space Project, where she oversaw and fundraised for a period of business transition, developing a new operating model in face of reduced arts funding. Her work successfully safe-guarded the only performing arts venue in Streatham and jobs. Producer Credits includes as Associate Producer for Best of Enemies in the West End; Producer for This Is Not A Show About Hong Kong, which won Fringe First and New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly’s Untapped Award in 2022; Consultant for WILD the Musical - City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. As a committed change-maker to support fellow Global Majority arts leaders, she was an innovator and Agent for Change with Artistic Directors of the Future. Natalie’s previous roles also included as CEO for Kakilang; Creative Producer for In Good Company, leading the Midlands’ artist development programme with 12 venues, and as General Manager for Creative Youth, where she has won the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy’s Giving Tuesday Competition for Digital Innovation for the charity. Natalie is also a recipient of the Blackbaud Scholarship for completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent in 2022. She’s supported the company development and produced projects for independent companies Chalk Line Theatre, Chronic Insanity, Nuu Theatre. She proudly started her career working as Assistant Producer for Theatre503, Spun Glass Theatre, Arch468 and the Bread and Roses Theatre, and through Stage One’s Bridge The Gap scheme.
Bio
Natalie is a tenacious, innovative arts leader and independent producer based in Hong Kong and UK. She was most recently Executive Director at Streatham Space Project, where she oversaw and fundraised for a period of business transition, developing a new operating model in face of reduced arts funding. Her work successfully safe-guarded the only performing arts venue in Streatham and jobs. Producer Credits includes as Associate Producer for Best of Enemies in the West End; Producer for This Is Not A Show About Hong Kong, which won Fringe First and New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly’s Untapped Award in 2022; Consultant for WILD the Musical - City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. As a committed change-maker to support fellow Global Majority arts leaders, she was an innovator and Agent for Change with Artistic Directors of the Future. Natalie’s previous roles also included as CEO for Kakilang; Creative Producer for In Good Company, leading the Midlands’ artist development programme with 12 venues, and as General Manager for Creative Youth, where she has won the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy’s Giving Tuesday Competition for Digital Innovation for the charity. Natalie is also a recipient of the Blackbaud Scholarship for completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent in 2022. She’s supported the company development and produced projects for independent companies Chalk Line Theatre, Chronic Insanity, Nuu Theatre. She proudly started her career working as Assistant Producer for Theatre503, Spun Glass Theatre, Arch468 and the Bread and Roses Theatre, and through Stage One’s Bridge The Gap scheme.
Producing Practice
I enjoy getting to know an artist and be part of and supporting another practitioners’ journey over a longer period of time, over several projects. Having said this, I usually started working with an artist on one project, and things built from there, and therefore I really value open and honest working relationships, mutual understanding of where this work sits within our wider professional portfolio and lives, and why this project and why now. I find joy in enabling vital stories to be told and connections to be made through theatre and art.
I've recently line-produced The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience (Soho Theatre/Kakilang); The Lonesome Death of Eng Bunker (Omnibus Theatre/Kakilang). I also recently project-managed shows funded by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office visiting Edinburgh Fringe from Hong Kong.
Areas of Expertise
- Team leadership and supporting others to thrive in their roles - Fundraising across ACE; trusts and foundations; individual giving - Relationship mapping and building with stakeholders including venues; future supporters of the work; co-producers - Budget creation, management and tracking; scenario planning - Strategic and future planning with artists
Collaboration Interests
I am currently at a crossroad in my career; having just finished my time overseeing the transition of Streatham Space Project, and therefore I am open to conversation and ideas, feel free to let me know what you are thinking. I have just been travelling to South Korea, Hong Kong and China to attend arts festivals and markets to expand on my horizon, thanks to the support from British Council.
