Julien Boast
Julien Boast has an impressive background, having trained at the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and worked extensively in regional theatre and London's West End. He has served as the chair of South East Dance, trustee of English Touring Theatre, Dance Touring Partnership, and Blast Theory, among other roles. Additionally, Julien co-founded Brighton & Hove Arts Commission, an advisory and delivery organisation with a cultural and political focus. The commission delivered the highest engagement with the arts of any population outside of London, and Julien served as its vice-chair.
Thanks to his experience as a member of the Arts Council England Regional Council for the southwest and southeast and his involvement in other industry reference groups for future funding strategies, Julien has vast experience collaborating with funding bodies, sponsors, and the broader community. He is a highly respected and entrepreneurial leader with a strong track record in driving organisational change, artistic excellence, and increased profitability. Julien's unique experience in both commercial and subsidised sectors has given him substantial knowledge in production.
Photography credits: Hugh Hastings & Julien Boast
Julien Boast has an impressive background, having trained at the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and worked extensively in regional theatre and London's West End. He has served as the chair of South East Dance, trustee of English Touring Theatre, Dance Touring Partnership, and Blast Theory, among other roles. Additionally, Julien co-founded Brighton & Hove Arts Commission, an advisory and delivery organisation with a cultural and political focus. The commission delivered the highest engagement with the arts of any population outside of London, and Julien served as its vice-chair.
Thanks to his experience as a member of the Arts Council England Regional Council for the southwest and southeast and his involvement in other industry reference groups for future funding strategies, Julien has vast experience collaborating with funding bodies, sponsors, and the broader community. He is a highly respected and entrepreneurial leader with a strong track record in driving organisational change, artistic excellence, and increased profitability. Julien's unique experience in both commercial and subsidised sectors has given him substantial knowledge in production.
Photography credits: Hugh Hastings & Julien Boast
What I deliver to cultural organisations
LEADERSHIP
As a motivational leader, I possess excellent team-building skills and prioritise bringing out the best in my coworkers. I am skilled in diplomacy and possess a persuasive political insight, which allows me to maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as local authority leaders, partners, donors, politicians, and teams. I focus on achieving results and am determined and persistent in delivering artistic and commercial goals. Additionally, I strongly advocate for culture and can effectively open doors for opportunities.
As a motivational leader, I possess excellent team-building skills and prioritise bringing out the best in my coworkers. I am skilled in diplomacy and possess a persuasive political insight, which allows me to maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as local authority leaders, partners, donors, politicians, and teams. I focus on achieving results and am determined and persistent in delivering artistic and commercial goals. Additionally, I strongly advocate for culture and can effectively open doors for opportunities.
PROGRAMMING & PRODUCING
With a vast knowledge of programming and producing for theatre, I possess valuable experience in both site-specific and outdoor productions. My versatility allows me to seamlessly transition between commercial and subsidised theatre, working alongside individuals of all levels, from creatives to high-profile theatre impresarios. I use my expertise to mentor various emerging and innovative artists and creative groups, including Spymonkey.
With a vast knowledge of programming and producing for theatre, I possess valuable experience in both site-specific and outdoor productions. My versatility allows me to seamlessly transition between commercial and subsidised theatre, working alongside individuals of all levels, from creatives to high-profile theatre impresarios. I use my expertise to mentor various emerging and innovative artists and creative groups, including Spymonkey.
ARTISTIC FLAIR
With my extensive background in curating challenging and high-quality artistic programming, including community and learning initiatives, I can work collaboratively with creative directors or independently as needed. I excel in creating innovative partnerships across various art forms, effectively communicating an organisation's shared vision, and enhancing its internal culture and external reputation.
With my extensive background in curating challenging and high-quality artistic programming, including community and learning initiatives, I can work collaboratively with creative directors or independently as needed. I excel in creating innovative partnerships across various art forms, effectively communicating an organisation's shared vision, and enhancing its internal culture and external reputation.
ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT
I am skilled in successfully implementing transformative change management and executing business and people strategies. My expertise lies in strategic planning, operational oversight, and financial management. I possess diverse abilities, including governance, partnership and brand development, marketing, and income generation through commercial trading, capital and revenue.
I am skilled in successfully implementing transformative change management and executing business and people strategies. My expertise lies in strategic planning, operational oversight, and financial management. I possess diverse abilities, including governance, partnership and brand development, marketing, and income generation through commercial trading, capital and revenue.

Work with others outside my role.
My work has been integral to arts and cultural industries, advice or consultancy for individuals, charities, organisations, and business and development enterprises throughout my career. With a proven track record in leadership, innovation and team-building, my experience covers various sectors, including public and private, professional services, events and venues, education, media and broadcast.
If I can help you with a project, contact me
Skills I deliver are;
Significant capital projects project management and client advice
Working from a project's initial concepts through to its delivery milestones. Experience is within heritage-listed buildings and their maintenance plans. Armed with high-quality lawyers and project consultants to bring projects to life, funded and developed
Business planning and organisational development
A methodical approach to review an organisation's potential in the commercial or subsidised world. The ability to breathe new life into teams and create non-political organisations delivering clear goals based on influence or impact with stakeholders
Fundraising, implementing strategies including donor management along with bid writing to trusts and foundations
Ability to devise and implement fundraising strategies. Close and trusted relationships formed with Government bodies, national funders, trusts, and foundations. An 80% track record in delivering successful bids
Leading procurement strategies, including complicated government
Collateral of expertise in public and private procurement, specialism in government requirements, and audits by specialist funders. Hands-on experience in construction contracts, State Aid law and cross-cutting themes as asked of by funders
Working from a project's initial concepts through to its delivery milestones. Experience is within heritage-listed buildings and their maintenance plans. Armed with high-quality lawyers and project consultants to bring projects to life, funded and developed
Business planning and organisational development
A methodical approach to review an organisation's potential in the commercial or subsidised world. The ability to breathe new life into teams and create non-political organisations delivering clear goals based on influence or impact with stakeholders
Fundraising, implementing strategies including donor management along with bid writing to trusts and foundations
Ability to devise and implement fundraising strategies. Close and trusted relationships formed with Government bodies, national funders, trusts, and foundations. An 80% track record in delivering successful bids
Leading procurement strategies, including complicated government
Collateral of expertise in public and private procurement, specialism in government requirements, and audits by specialist funders. Hands-on experience in construction contracts, State Aid law and cross-cutting themes as asked of by funders
Marketing and audience development
Core expertise in brand management, cultural marketing and developing communities for audience development. Can be delivered within an organisation's remit or create bespoke campaigns to see out those whom you miss coming through your doors
Producing and Programming
Wide range of experience in producing work on stages, site septic work and within festivals. Can create programming strategies for commercial and or a subsidised organisation or, more importantly, now a hybrid model
Mentoring and coaching
Coaching and mentoring individuals, theatre companies and organisations have been a part of my core practice. An approach to lifelong learning ignites the passion for helping these creative industries thrive.
Reputation management
Experience in creating healthy, non-political organisations which can have a long and deep relationship with funders, organisations and local authorities
Governance review
Delivers good charity practice for boards, including creating diverse leadership. Experienced in reviewing Mem and Arts to develop modern and current organisations
