Swindon Lives: Nicki Western - Big Arts Day Special

Festival's don't organise themselves, particularly Big Arts Day - they take months or preparation, with a team of highly dedicated and enthusiastic organisers. We caught up with one of those individuals, Nicki Western.

How long have you been preparing for Big Arts Day?

Since last year’s Big Arts Day, my work carries on way past the actually Festival Day collecting in all the evaluation information and press stories, by the time that finishes I am working on the next year’s event.

What act are you most looking forward to seeing?

There are so many great acts, but sadly I don’t always get time to see them on the day but will be trying to get around to as many as I can, and would like to see Josh Kumra & AJ on the main stage.

What’s been your biggest obstacle and how have you overcome it?

Budget… We put the Festival on with a very small budget but the in-kind support this year has been phenomenal and made the event possible. Makes me very proud of all the wonderful people who realise what a fantastic event this is and want to be part of it.

How important do you think events like this are to Swindon’s culture?

Events like this are hugely important to Swindon. It improves our health & wellbeing, makes you proud of where you live and increases participation in the arts. To help us measure how important it actually is, there are a team evaluators at the Festival asking you for your feedback.

Your phone book must be full of interesting contacts, who is the most famous person in there?

Having worked in theatre for many years (can’t say how long will give my age away), I have a few stories to tell, but my lips as sealed… all part of the job.

You’ve been working very hard in the run up to the Big Day! Will you be working on the actual day or will you get to enjoy some of the acts?

I will be working… but will try and get to see some as my nephew is performing but sadly we don’t see much of it.

What will be the first thing you do after the show’s over?

I normally go back and look at everyone’s websites to see what pictures they have uploaded, see what people are tweeting and what they are all saying on Facebook.

Describe Swindon in three words...

Big Arts Day

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

In relation to Big Arts Day the biggest achievement is putting the programme together, it takes up a lot of time and work, but I always love the finished product.  We work with a really talented designer, Hot Pepper Design. 

I really enjoy my job; it’s really rewarding to see 25,000 people having a great time at an event you have helped to organise.

What next?

Holiday… I go away just after the Festival, but when I come back again I will be collecting in all the evaluation forms and seeing how we can improve on next year’s Festival. And of course start the planning for the next one…