emily o'brien
Art becomes not only a way of life, but life itself. It allows one to breath deeply.
It allows one to stop hyperventilating. It really does. That is the role of art in life.
Maya Angelou
It is a great privilege, in my role, to assist artists in realising their creative vision. No matter the operational or logistical needs, the technical or safety needs, it begins and ends with the art.
My role as a Risk, Safety and Project Consultant is to find ways to put the art front and centre,
whilst ensuring a project is delivered safely and successfully.
biography
Emily O’Brien is a Risk and Safety Consultant and Project/Production Manager based in naarm (Melbourne). She has worked extensively across the fields of theatre, dance, cultural events, corporate events, live arts and festivals.
With a Master of Science in Crowd Safety & Risk Analysis from Manchester Metropolitan University (2022), a Master of Arts Management from the University of Melbourne (2012), an Advanced Diploma in Public Safety - Emergency Management (2019) and a Certified Practising Risk Manager (CRPM) qualification, combined with twenty years experience as a practising Production and Risk Manager with First In Last Out, Emily is perfectly placed to assist clients in developing new risk, safety and project delivery ecologies for their projects and organisations.
Emily has delivered risk and safety planning and operations for clients and projects including: ACMI, City of Hobson's Bay, City of Maribyrnong, City of Melbourne, City of Merri-bek, City of Port Phillip, Collingwood Yards, Live Nation, Flash Forward, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Museum, Music Victoria, Next Wave, Pavilion Australia, Rising, Seeker Agency, South Gippsland Shire Council, St Jerome's Laneway Festival, The Other Art Fair and Yirramboi, among others.
She has delivered production, event and operations management (inclusive of project-based risk and safety planning) for clients and projects including: All the Queens Men, All Tomorrow's Parties, Antony Hamilton, Arena Theatre Co, Auspicious Arts, BalletLAB, Black Lung Theatre & Whaling Co, Chamber Made, City of Darebin, City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, Collingwood Yards, Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, Dark Mofo, Feel Presents, Harvest Festival, Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Insite Arts, Jodee Mundy, Lucy Guerin Inc, Luke George, Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Melinda Hetzel & Co, MONA FOMA, Nat Cursio Co, Natalie Randall + Hissy Fit, Next Wave, Nicola Gunn, Peepshow Inc, Playking, Polyglot Theatre, Pony Express, Spinifex Gum, Stephanie Lake Company, Tamara Saulwick, The Other Art Fair, the Other Film Festival, The Substation, The Wheeler Centre, Token Events, White Night Melbourne and Yirramboi, among others.
Photo: Pia Johnson
practice
My practice focuses on collaborative and innovative management in the areas of:
- Risk and Safety Consultancy
- Project and Production Management
I work across Australia but am based in Yálla-birr-ang (Collingwood) in Naarm (Melbourne). The Wurundjeri woi wurrung people of the Kulin nation are the traditional owners of this place and sovereignty was never ceded. I pay respect to their elders past, present & emerging and pay tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people who call this place home.
If you would like to discuss a project, please get in touch via email