Over at New Art Exchange, Behind Closed Doors is creating a new space for women in the creative industries to connect, collaborate and reshape the scene in Nottingham. Co-ordinator Cherelle Fulton discusses what fuelled her projects, including live music night Can’t Stand The Rain, the importance of community and connectivity, and creating safe spaces for women.
Hi Cherelle, what is Behind Closed Doors?
Behind Closed Doors is about celebrating and spotlighting women - whether they’re behind the scenes or front and centre. We’re talking promoters, animators, DJs, graphic designers, photographers, sound engineers, zine makers, content creators - basically, all the incredible women making things happen. This summer, on the last Saturday of June, July, and August, we’re bringing these women together to build connections, share skills, and shine a light on powerhouse talent that often goes unseen. It’s about creating a space where women can support each other and take the lead on their creative journeys - whether they’re still figuring it out, enjoy it as a hobby, or are deep into their creative careers.
Why did you want to start Behind Closed Doors?
Honestly, it comes from experience. In the last three years of working in the creative industry, I’ve only collaborated with a woman of colour twice. That says a lot. It’s rare that I see other women, especially Black women, in behind-the-scenes roles. And when you never see someone who looks or sounds like you in those spaces, it’s easy to feel like those paths aren’t meant for you.
Behind Closed Doors is about changing that. It’s about creating a new cycle where women, especially young Black women, feel seen, supported, and connected. I want to build a space where we’re thriving, where creative roles feel accessible, and we’re building a stronger network of talent that can grow across generations. It’s a collective rooted in care, creativity, and possibility. It’s about opening the door, keeping it open for the next woman coming through and shaping the future we want to see.
I think working as a creative, sometimes it can be so public-facing that you can get lost in why you started. We speak, debrief, and blend softness and strategy. I don’t want us to feel hidden anymore, and it would be really beautiful to showcase our talents – together
What does a typical session look like?
Well, the first event on 28 June will be housed in New Art Exchange, and it’s going to start with a wellbeing session, so this is to make sure that your mind feels at peace and that you have a community to connect with to talk about the limitations and struggles you face within Nottingham. They’ll also be Q&As, live music and getting to know more of the creative community in Nottingham. But I think it’ll be nice to ground everyone and have a space where we’re able to not feel like we’re here to do better as a creator, but to connect with your community and release the stress that we’ve had throughout that month or week as a creative.
You say it’s for women in the creative industry - who does that include?
I want it to be a space that women can come into, and although there’s a large focus on women of colour, it is for all women. It’s definitely not just for people with creative jobs. I want it to be a space for if you’re just figuring it out, this is a space for you. If you like to knit, if you are a sound engineer, a graphic designer, a DJ, a writer, or a journalist - this is your home. It’s not a case where you have to be getting paid to take part. You might even want to tag along and see what it’s like to be someone who’s been within a creative workspace or hobby, whether you’re just starting out or deep within your journey.
What age range are you targeting?
Just eighteen and up at the moment - and the reason I say that is because when I see 18-30, it irks me because there are so many creatives past thirty that give so much to the scene and will bring a different edge and insight to projects. I think it’s unfair to cap it because we miss out a lot on that cross-generational impact. When we connect with different generations, we learn so much more.
You also run music events called Can’t Stand the Rain - how did that start?
It started during one of the bleakest times in 2020, when the world was watching as the Black community in America were being senselessly murdered. I just felt completely helpless. Personally, I was at a real low, but I also knew I wasn’t alone in feeling that. I wanted to shift my frustration into action so I built some decking in my mum's back garden and invited people to come out and dance. No real plan, just booked a DJ and hoped people would buy a ticket to support.
That night, we raised £900 with the support of the Nottingham community and donated it to the Stephen Lawrence Foundation. But more than the money, what really stayed with me was the joy. The release. For a couple of hours, we shut out the noise and connected. That was the seed for Can’t Stand The Rain, creating spaces where we can come together, feel joy, and remind each other that despite our pain and what society throws at us, we can still coexist and find peace.
Is Can't Stand The Rain for everyone?
Yes, one-hundred percent! Can’t Stand The Rain is rooted in celebrating artists from the Black diaspora, but it’s a space that welcomes everyone and champions local talent from a wide range of communities. As long as you come with openness and respect, you’re welcome. It’s all about connection - between artists, audiences, and the unique energy only live music can create. The main goal has always been to use music as a tool to create moments where people from all walks of life can pause, breathe, and connect outside of the daily noise. I want it to be known for leaving people with something lasting - whether that’s meeting a new friend, discovering a new artist to add to their playlist, or simply holding onto a good feeling.
What’s your proudest moment to date?
Turning a spontaneous idea born from frustration and a need to feel joy during a heavy time into a real movement has to be my proudest moment. What started as a one-off garden rave to release grief with my community became a full-blown career that fuels my passions. Through Can’t Stand The Rain, I’ve built space for artists to be booked and showcase their talent, and for people to reconnect, be present, and feel good mentally, emotionally, and physically through music and shared energy.
Oh, and hosting the amazing Shaé Universe for her Nottingham debut with CSTR and selling out the show was genuinely unforgettable!
What’s the aim of Behind Closed Doors & CSTR? What do you want them to be in, say, a year’s time?
For Behind Closed Doors, the aim is simple: to work with more women especially women of colour and build something sustainable together. BCD is about supporting each other’s work, spotlighting talent, and creating space where we’re not burning out just to be seen. It’s a collective rooted in care, creativity, and possibility. Whether that means curating our own festival stages, launching a magazine, building an in-house media team, or simply reconnecting through creative well-being retreats. It’s about shaping the kind of future we want to see, and building a powerful ecosystem where women can thrive.
Can’t Stand The Rain is all about connection - between artists, audiences, and the unique energy only live music can create. Our aim is to curate moments that go beyond just a night or day out. It’s about building spaces where people can pause, breathe, and truly connect through the joy of live music. I want CSTR to be known for leaving people with something lasting - whether that’s meeting a new friend, discovering a new artist to add to their playlist, or simply holding onto a good feeling.
Keep an eye out for our new project LiVE, which recently launched at We Are Primary. There’s so much exciting stuff coming from CSTR x LiVE over the next year — can’t wait to share it all!
The first Behind Closed Doors takes place on Saturday 28 June at New Art Exchange. RSVP via the link in their Instagram page.
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