How I manage my portfolio career in the arts (part 1)

How do some of the best arts multi-taskers in the business do it? ArtsHub profiles a selection of portfolio career creatives who share the highs and lows of their multi-role careers.
a grey sign that says "possibility everywhere"

Areas of work: I am currently writing for children’s television and awaiting a shooting schedule for my role in an Australian comedy drama television series created for Netflix. Quite recently I co-produced, directed and performed in a large-scale event for a major festival in Western Australia. I am also managing my singer-songwriter husband, as well as performing backing vocals for him, mainly because they’re all in Noongar language and not many people can speak that language, let alone sing in it.

Qualifications/training: Much of my training across my 28-year career to date has been (successfully) on the job. However, I began my acting career with a performer traineeship in 1997 at Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, where I also acquired training certificates in arts marketing and management, as well as accounts management.

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ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).