SO Festival Creative Producer Kieran Spiers is the latest guest on the LincsLivesNatters podcast, joining the series for an in depth conversation about creativity, producing and the role festivals can play in shaping cultural life in Lincolnshire.
In this episode, Kieran reflects on his own journey into the arts and how he came to work as a creative producer. From early experiences in performance to discovering producing as a creative and collaborative practice, the conversation offers open and thoughtful insight into the different pathways that exist within the arts sector.
Kieran also talks about his role at SO Festival, where he helps shape the artistic programme and supports artists to make bold, accessible and inclusive work in public space. The episode explores what it takes to deliver a free international outdoor arts festival, from working closely with communities and artists to navigating the practical and creative challenges of parks, promenades and seaside spaces becoming stages.
A key theme of the conversation is the power of outdoor arts. Kieran discusses how festivals like SO Festival can remove barriers to access, reach people who might not usually attend arts events, and create shared experiences that belong to everyone. He speaks about the importance of care, collaboration and trust when producing large scale events in public space, and how community voices help shape the festival’s direction.
This episode offers valuable insight for anyone interested in outdoor arts, producing, community engagement or the behind the scenes work that goes into creating cultural experiences at scale. It also provides a glimpse into the values that sit at the heart of SO Festival and the thinking behind the work audiences encounter each summer on the Lincolnshire coast.
You can listen to LincsLivesNatters Episode 046 featuring Kieran Spiers on multiple platforms:
