Bradford Artist Tricia Arthur-Stubbs Selected for Prestigious Nairobi Producer Exchange

Bradford dance practitioner and community producer Tricia Arthur-Stubbs has been chosen to represent Bradford in the international Nairobi Producer Exchange.

Organised by Bradford Producing Hub in partnership with the Bridges Fellowship Programme (Kenya), Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Producer Hub (USA), and supported by The British Council, the programme offers an exciting opportunity for one Bradford-based producer to take part in a fully funded exchange. The initiative includes two week-long residencies – one in Bradford and one in Nairobi – alongside online training, mentoring, and professional development.

Tricia, who founded Swirl Education and is the producer of BRAVE Festival (Black Roots and Voices Expressed), is well known for her vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean cultures through dance and performance. Raised in Bradford with heritage from Trinidad and Tobago, Tricia’s work focuses on Caribbean Carnival Dance (Soca) and champions accessible, joyful arts experiences across schools, communities, and large-scale events.

Reacting to her selection, Tricia said:

“I am really excited to have been accepted into the Nairobi Producer Exchange Programme. It will be a fantastic step forward for my career. I’m looking forward to learning more about marketing, programming and fundraising, which will directly benefit BRAVE Festival. I am looking forward to the international connections that will be made through this programme and to seeing how they will influence the BRAVE Festival in the coming years. As the leader of the Cultural Voice Forum’s Black Arts Network, I will be able to feed all of my learning straight back into Black Artists to benefit this community.”

The Nairobi Producer Exchange runs from August to September 2025 and will see Tricia collaborate with producers from Kenya and across Africa, sharing experiences through workshops, cultural activities, and international dialogue. Insights gained will feed directly into the development of BRAVE Festival 2025, taking place in Bradford in October, and support her wider work as Black Arts Network Lead for the Cultural Voice Forum.

Lisa Mallaghan, Executive Director of Bradford Producing Hub, commented:

“We’re so excited to partner on the Nairobi Producer Exchange and proud to offer this opportunity for a Bradford-based artist from the African Diaspora to connect with their heritage through their creative practice. This kind of international exchange not only nurtures meaningful connections but also expands artistic ambitions in ways that have a lasting impact. We’re delighted to have selected Tricia for this programme and can’t wait to see how the experience shapes BRAVE Festival and her work as a producer.”

The exchange forms part of ongoing efforts by Bradford Producing Hub and Bradford 2025 to nurture diverse talent, promote cultural leadership, and strengthen international collaboration in the arts.