Session 1: Finding Your Way as a Freelancer

Delivered by Leila D’Aronville

Leila D’Aronville will lead an introduction to freelancing within the creative industries. What is involved in creating a successful freelance career and the steps you need to take. Leila D’Aronville is a freelance creative producer and facilitator and founder of Tyne and Wear Cultural Freelancers.


These workshops will take place from November 2024 to January 2025. Each session is delivered by a leading industry figure and tailored to developing your skills and resources in a specific area. Each Open Workshop will also include a participant networking opportunity.

Participants are welcome to join the full series of 5 workshops or can attend individual sessions. These workshops are free, but booking is essential.

Forward Freelancing Project

Starting out in the creative industries as a freelancer or as a new creative business can be daunting. To help you navigate this path Dance City in partnership with Creative UK are offering two opportunities to get you in gear. The first is a series of free-to-access workshops designed to give you the tools to move forward, take control, and create a more sustainable career. The second is an intensive mentoring programme designed to focus your freelancing or creative business planning and build a strong network of creative partnerships.

This is in partnership with the Culture and Creative Investment Programme, delivered by Creative UK and funded by the North East Combined Authority.

Forward Freelancing is dance focused, but the programme is open to support any early career freelancer or creative business within the performing arts.

All participants MUST be registered freelancers/creative business with UTR code.