60 seconds with Rachel Kennedy

Thursday 10 July 2025

Tell us about your role and your organisation
I am a Creative Producer, and the aim of Grasshopper Creative Productions is to bring creative vision to life. With over 20 years of experience in the arts and culture sector in Northern Ireland, I specialise in devising and delivering high-impact events, festivals, and programmes with a people-led approach. From grassroots community gatherings to large-scale festivals, I offer calm, confident, and creative management of every project I deliver — helping teams thrive and ideas become reality.

I founded Grasshopper in March 2025 and currently support clients in a range of areas including programme development, event and festival production, project and event management, income generation and fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far
In 2001, Hugh Mulholland gave me a job at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, which marked the start of an exciting and formative chapter. I spent five fantastic years working at Northern Ireland’s leading contemporary art gallery, learning the ropes of running an arts charity and gaining invaluable experience.

During that time, I also volunteered at The OMAC, where I was lucky enough to see some of the best theatre and comedy in the city. Thanks to Hugh, I also had the opportunity to spend a month working at the Venice Biennale — definitely a career highlight.

In 2006, I joined Down Arts Centre as the live event programmer. Over the next ten years, I was able to explore producing events in non-traditional arts spaces, including commissioning and producing The Downe Chorus by Reggie Chamberlain King, performed in the old Downe Hospital just before its doors closed for good.

I also took part in the Clore Leadership Programme during this time, which was truly transformative and shaped the next phase of my journey.

In 2016, I joined EastSide Partnership and, for over nine years, led the strategic and creative development of EastSide Arts. I delivered multiple annual festivals, launched a new literary symposium, commissioned and produced new dramas, and deepened community engagement — all in collaboration with inspiring local artists and residents.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role and why?
I create order out of chaos. I have a tidy mind, and in the creative sector, that’s a powerful asset. Being able to take big, exciting, and often unwieldy ideas and turn them into a clear, achievable plan is essential — and something I really enjoy.

What advice do you have for women in your industry?
Always trust your gut. Your instinct is your best advisor, and learning to trust yourself — above external voices or expectations about what you ‘should’ do — is incredibly powerful.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
I’m excited to be working with two brilliant women — Meg Magill and Anna Leckey — on the Wee Swap project this summer and autumn in east Belfast and Lisburn. We’re looking forward to bringing the Wee Swap ethos to new communities. Watch this space!

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
There isn’t one single person, but rather the passionate and tireless artists and administrators working across the arts sector in Northern Ireland. They continue to create incredible events and experiences that enrich lives and build community, often against all odds. In the face of ever-decreasing funding, support, and infrastructure, they just keep going. These — mostly women — are the real superstars.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones (also known as the Austin Powers soundtrack). I can’t sit still when I hear it, and I always picture the scene in the film with the entire cast dancing through London — I channel that energy every time!

Connect with me on LinkedIn or email: hello@rachel-kennedy.com

Thursday 10 July 2025