#52 - Karen Bryant - Midsumma Chief Executive & Creative Director

Karen Bryant is the Chief Executive and Creative Director for Midsumma Festival which is held in VIC, Australia. In this Creative Connectors episode, Karen sheds light on the unique approach to Midsumma which provides an opportunity to choose your own festival adventure across 22 days and their ongoing work in mentorship and community development. She shares her journey from theatre directing and how this took her into the world of festivals and working specifically on a festival that spoke to LGBTQIA+ communities and beyond. We delve into her role in helping Midsumma become a credible arts organisation that has grown its attendance by 66% and its focus on connecting to new communities. We discuss the honest challenges of bringing diverse communities together and the power of giving unheard voices a safe platform to be represented along with the transformation this has offered individuals. Sit back and enjoy the chat and discover the many facets and opportunities that Midsumma offers Victorian communities and beyond.