Dark Olive

Dark Olive is a creative projects and event management company run by Darren and Amber Knipe. Registered as a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.), we work with cultural organisations, artists and communities to produce meaningful, creative opportunities for social engagement and collaboration, as well as supporting organisations to deliver their programmes of work. We have a wealth of experience devising and delivering arts projects and festivals and bring a broad range of skills in project, artist and budget management, network, audience and partnership development, recruitment (staff, volunteers and project participants), strategic planning, administration, marketing and project evaluation to any role. We also have a very practical and hands on approach and regularly get brought onto projects to look after technical and event production. We have a passion for community engagement and promote the importance of strong relationships. We have been effective in initiating and managing affiliations with partner arts organisations as well as a range of service and community suppliers, from education providers (primary, secondary, F.E. University) to community groups, voluntary organisations, local businesses, property owners, the local authority and funders. Darren's focus is on in-house project development, where we look at ways of addressing social challenges and devise relevant solutions. In the past this has included setting up community music and arts activities for visually impaired groups, as well as developing OCN accredited workshops in Music and Entertainment Technology for disaffected young people. With over 20 years' experience being a promoter, running own nightclub with over 2,000 members, designing and running a solar powered festival venue, and operating an outdoor licensed bar for events up to 80,000 people, Darren knows how to operate under pressure in challenging environments, with large teams of people. Such projects have been interspersed with stage managing and providing technical support ...