An Invitation to Buckingham Palace…
This blog has a 5-7 minute read time.
I am beyond thrilled to have been invited to and attended the creative industries inaugural royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on 15th May. It wasn’t just any garden party, though; it was a celebration of the creative industries, co-hosted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and featuring celebrities, TV and radio personalities as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Humble beginnings
For a girl from Leicester who grew up far from the glitz and glamour of royal estates, this invitation came out of the blue. In fact, in the email from ACE, I actually did wonder if it was spam! Picture this: a 8-year-old me, dancing around my bedroom to 2 Unlimited’s banger of a 90’s song “No Limit” with my disco ball flashing and my recorded-off-the-radio tape blasting, blissfully unaware of the grand halls and sprawling gardens of the Palace I would one day be invited to. My family weren’t into the royals, arguably they still aren’t.
Back then, my world was small, my dreams even smaller. Academics didn’t click for me, and the arts weren't yet my refuge. I went dancing yes, but it wasn’t a ‘thing’ for me until I reached my teenage years. As a kid I had no idea what my life would entail, certainly not a career in the arts (I didn’t even know that was possible!), we weren’t a cultured family and never, ever did I think that I’d go to Buckingham Palace. It only existed for me on the telly - when we all watched Princess Diana’s flowers ever growing outside the palace gates in memoriam.
It wasn’t until I turned 15 and a perceptive dance teacher saw a spark in me that my path took a turn. "You could make a career out of this," she said, spotting potential in a teenager who had just started to find her rhythm. But I hadn’t flourished academically which makes me often wonder that if my talent had been nurtured earlier, where would I be now? I was in middle or bottom sets for all subjects and yet, probably could have achieved A grades if someone saw it in me. Who knew the words of Carla, my then dance teacher, would take me all the way to a royal invitation?!?!
Not me and not anyone I knew.
This invitation has therefore sparked a flurry of emotions. Amazement, for one. Gratitude, undoubtedly. But also a profound sense of validation for the countless weeks and years dedicated to my craft. Yes, it’s been a meandering journey… no career in the arts is ever straight forward or one directional but, I’ve landed in a position that 1) I love and 2) I thrive in.
Why is that?
Because well, I simply never considered anything royal would feature in my life. Plus, freelancing gives me ultimate autonomy and choice over my work and life goals. So to then be invited and attend the palace, as a freelancer, was even more special. We all know that whilst freelancers prop up the majority of the culture sector (or, we should all know that, right?), we’re also the most invisible. The least powerful part of the workforce and we are often the last folks to be invited to have a seat at the table. I’m on a mission to change that.
This palace visit therefore isn't just an acknowledgment of my personal journey but a nod to the importance of the arts more generally too—a sector where passion meets dedication to create something truly moving. A sector where it’s hard to climb the ladder, it’s hard to make a living and well, is just hard full stop, it always has been but especially now (for more on that, see my last blog on Culture in Crisis here).
Importance and power
I am still asking myself; "does this make me one of the 'important' people in our sector now?"
Because it’s a big deal, isn't it?
I’ve read a little of the fall-out on X and in this article on Arts Pro, indicates an alternative rhetoric around what the royals mean on wider society. I don’t subscribe to any of that. BUT. To be recognised in such a grand way—it's both exhilarating and a bit surreal. I’m not sure if it makes me 'powerful,' but it does make me immensely proud of how far that little girl from Leicester has come over the last 17 years of my career and counting. Yes, the sector is in pieces at present and I see the decimation… I work with lots of artists who have fallen peril to the system. And yet, recognition by the ‘powers that be’ is the start of change, is it not?
One thing that does need recognition is class in the arts. Friends in the sector talk about my example of social mobility. I don’t really identify with that or with any given (working) class - maybe because I’ve moved through one to another?! However, there is something to be said for myself and all the working class background folks making a decent living from something we love and getting much deserved recognition for it. I’ve been bold in my decisions and put myself in leadership positions.
Being invited to the Palace as guest was a real honour and something I will never forget. It meant a lot to me to represent my work and my clients. As you can imagine, there was a royal charm about the whole experience, everything was pristine, from the gardens, to the afternoon tea (even the tea blend was special) and the amazing service. There was a real peace throughout the afternoon and it was great to see everybody in the moment and enjoying themselves. It was also really nice to see the King spending time with the guests at the party.
Those that know me know that I keep my feet on the ground through a spiritual practice including yoga, travel, meditation, time in nature, the gym, and manifesting. I’ve also got a coach, a therapist and a supervisor. I’m lucky to have a husband who supports and encourages everything I do (the same can’t be said for many other partners) and I’ve got a few cheerleaders. Therefore, whilst I believed I could reach the place I’m in in my career right now thanks to dedication, grit, hard graft + some brilliant mentors that enabled such belief; I have made it all happen myself - no silver spoon over here… and even with all that support, I still never genuinely thought I’d be a guest at the palace!
Royal afternoon tea - just look at it!
At school and then University (the first in my family to go); I was never smart enough, or savvy enough. I was never one of the favourites. Couldn’t figure out how to make my choreography score 80. I always approached things a little differently and this often made me feel 'unworthy'.
I didn’t fit in, didn’t know how or where to fit in, even. I hand wrote my Uni essays and then typed them up on a library computer because I couldn’t afford a laptop. I never graduated thinking I’d make it ‘big’ (not sure what that means anyhow). What I did know was that hard work did help to get you places and that’s a mantra that has stuck with me ever since: it got me from a disappointing low 2:2 degree to a 2:1 through endless hours rehearsing. It got me and my team at artsNK our first big funding win back in 2015… £50k from the Big Lottery for the biggest project we had ever imagined.
And, it’s got me to now, where I call myself a ‘Consultant’ but, one that’s not your usual type. One that’s real and plugged into the frontline. One that’s self-aware and averse to power dynamics. One that cares deeply and one that agitates in support of change.
It’s definitely been a journey of ups and downs, but l've learnt so much and am super proud of what I've been able to achieve so far. One of my strengths lies in learning and it’s through this quality that I feel that I’m able to adapt, pivot, change, move on, learn the lesson. My therapist recently said to me that one of the special things about me and my consultancy offer is that it is built upon a vast array of inputs. She’s right - I don’t quite know anyone else who has worked with the numbers of artists and organisations in the way that I have done to date. That work has included all sorts of skills, knowledge and insight; but mostly listening and learning what works and what doesn’t. Observing, horizon scanning, not making the same mistakes and really looking to see where change can be most effective.
Through the arts l've had the opportunity to travel the country & live in 6 different cities. l've performed, choreographed, directed, produced shows. Managed a team. Fundraised millions. Witnessed lives changed. Worked in rural and urban places, facilitated transformation… I've worked with some of the most inspiring and resilient people, some of the country’s top talent (many of them unseen) and near enough daily I get the opportunity to support others to find their passion and follow their dreams.
The arts are a catalyst that can support people to find their way in amongst all the chaos, they did that me that’s for sure. The arts can build confidence and empower people to push themselves that little bit further, to expand their aspirations and become more than they ever thought possible.
Did rubbing shoulders with the other guests and royals make me feel powerful? Temporarily. One of my clients recently reacted to my LinkedIn post about the palace saying “it is major!”. She’s right of course. It made me realise that my contribution is valuable and so are the contributions of everyone that make up the arts and wider creative industries. We’re all the sum of our parts.
Attending the palace was a moment to reinforce my thanks to all of you who have supported me, believed in me, booked me for pieces of work, taken a chance on me and inspired me to pursue my dreams. It takes a tribe. What an incredible experience.
If you’d like to talk about any of what I discuss here, you can email me on hello@amydaltonhardy.co.uk