My Ambition is to

Cara McCartney, Development and Creative Engagement Manager at the Millennium Forum

An original ‘Derry Girl’, I have worked in the city all of my life (with the exception of a year in Washington DC as part of my undergraduate degree course). We have a thriving arts community in the city and I am very proud to be a key part of developing the Millennium Forum’s mission in providing “arts to all’. Now, more than ever, having access to the arts is vitally important for the health and well-being of individuals and the economic growth of local towns and cities like Derry/Londonderry.

The Forum opened in 2001 and is nestled within the famous Derry walls. It is the North West’s leading theatre and conference centre, attracting over 320,000 people every year to a vibrant programme of world-class shows such as ballet, comedy, pantomime, West End musicals and top-quality drama. It is also a registered charity, which is something that most people aren’t aware of.

I have worked with the Forum for the past 18 years in the role of sponsorship and development officer and, since April 2022, as the new development and creative engagement manager.

Graduating from Ulster University, Magee with a BA in Business, I continued my studies throughout my career with an advanced Management Diploma, a CIM certificate in Digital Marketing & Strategy and lots of other interesting courses in between. I love learning, meeting new people and trying new experiences; working with the Millennium Forum offers great opportunities to do all of this.

The sponsorship and development officer role was initially based in the theatre’s marketing department. It involved generating income via client relationship and project management, securing and managing new corporate sponsors and strategic partners (for example, principal partnerships, pantomime sponsorships, corporate, education and award-winning outreach Photo credit: Catherine Ming.

projects). I thoroughly enjoyed this role as it enabled me to develop my business networks as well as igniting my creativity in marketing, advertising, fundraising and project management.

In 2018, I was delighted to be awarded the Cultural Fundraiser Of The Year award at the NI Allianz Arts and Business Awards. This accolade was in recognition of the arts and business projects I helped create over the years, all of which have given me great experience and business/creative contacts as I embark on my new role.

My ambition for the future as the Millennium Forum’s new development and creative engagement manager is to create and deliver an ambitious fundraising and creative development programme that will reinforce the Millennium Forum’s mission and enhance its future growth strategies. I am already working on exciting new collaborations and introducing a range of new funders, businesses and trusts to our theatre that will bring our projects and events to the local community.

I also want to reinforce the message that the Millennium Forum is a great place to do business in terms of client entertainment, branding, networking and rewarding staff. I particularly want to extend our reach into the community as I believe everyone, regardless of their circumstances or background, should be able to experience the magic of theatre as a participant or audience member. As I embark on my new professional journey, I want to keep learning and will work hard to provide supportive leadership to my new team, and I invite any companies who want to get involved with the Millennium Forum to get in touch.

Outside of the Millennium Forum, I am vice chair of Stage Beyond, an awardwinning theatre company for adults with learning disabilities. I also help run a family business (Silver Fox Entertainment) and I am currently assisting my daughter with starting her own marketing business! I am always trying to be an example for my three girls who are aged 21, 17 and 8. In my spare time, I enjoy fitness classes at my local gym and I am also a keen runner (I have completed the Derry Marathon and numerous half marathons).