Our team – Engage

Helen brings a wealth of experience in arts leadership, community engagement, and strategic development. She has held senior roles at Lakeland Arts, where she led innovative programs connecting heritage and contemporary art, and at The Turnpike, where she championed artist development and inclusive participation. Her work has consistently focused on creating meaningful opportunities for communities to engage with visual arts. As Director, Helen is focusing on strengthening its role as a national voice for visual arts education and participation. She will oversee the delivery of Engage’s ambitious programs, advocate for sector-wide collaboration, and ensure that visual arts remain accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.

Karen Drake Finance and Operations Manager

Karen started at Engage in 2022 and is involved in all things strategy, numbers, governance and HR, with responsibility for the finance team and operations at Engage. Her career has been varied and includes work as a freelance coach and creative producer. She is founder and director of a Community Interest Company gallery and shop, and a Town Councillor. She was previously Interim Director at Spike Island, Bristol and Operations Director at Engine Shed at the University of Bristol

Hannah Gaunt Creative Producer

Hannah leads a UK-wide programme of training and professional development opportunities for the visual arts engagement workforce, with a particular focus on Engage’s role as an Investment Principle Support Organisation for Arts Council England. Outside of Engage Hannah is Freelance Consultant, a Non-Executive Director of Everyday (Wigan), a member of the Artworks Alliance Oversight Group, and a Coach and Mentor.

Sian Lile-Pastore Engage Cymru Coordinator

Sian joined Engage in 2023 and is passionate about visual arts and education in Wales. She enjoys collaborating, working with artists and bringing people together and is committed to making the visual arts more inclusive and welcoming. Prior to joining Engage, Sian worked at Amgueddfa Cymru as part of the learning team and also works as a yoga and meditation teacher. She welcomes communication in both Welsh and English.

Sarah Robinson Frood Engage Scotland Coordinator

Sarah has worked across the creative and cultural sector for over 10 years with experience of both delivering engagement and training while also working strategically within the public sector. Sarah’s training as an architect has further diversified into the commissioning and designing of public art alongside culture organisation development and planning. Sarah has a strong focus on placing people at the centre of her work and ensuring that the impact of her work is positive for those involved.

Georgia Holman Engage Scotland Programme Administrator

Georgia Holman is a Glasgow-based artist and Creative Producer with extensive experience in accessibility, and community-engaged arts, coordinating this year’s Stephen Palmer Travel Bursary Fund. Outside of Engage, her work spans producing independent projects, supporting artist development, and delivering inclusive programmes. From 2021-2023 she was a co-director of EMBASSY Gallery, an ARI focusing on supporting early career practitioners. Since leaving EMBASSY she has produced multiple projects, collaborating with individuals and organisations including The National Theatre of Scotland and the Scottish Artist Union. She also provides access consultancy for organisations and one-to-one access support for disabled and neurodivergent artists. Currently, Georgia is working with Engage as Engage Scotland programme delivery support, assisting with the delivery of national visual arts engagement programmes, training, and sector-wide advocacy.

Rebeca Valls Moragas Marketing Officer

Rebeca develops and delivers Engage’s marketing and communications. Previously a journalist, she has written in Spanish, Catalan and English for news platforms in England and Spain. Her start in the museum and gallery sector was through a range of internships and and roles including supporting funding bids for museums. She has an MA in Museum Studies. Outside of Engage she is a portrait artist and photographer, fire performer, and digital advisor for the Ancient Technology Centre.

Liz Blake Membership and Operations Assistant

Liz joined Engage in 2022 and is especially interested in accessibility, having written their dissertation on designing museum spaces for autistic visitors. They are a volunteer with the Young Archaeologists’ Club, a founder of Mxer, Manchester’s oldest nonbinary group, and a crafter.

Sarah McNally Programme Coordinator

Sarah coordinates the delivery of our UK-wide Explore training and the Extend Leadership Programme. Sarah’s career has been underpinned by a focus on advocacy for inclusion within the arts. Sarah is a creative practitioner and mentor within the visual arts, specialising in community outreach. Previous employers have included The Hepworth Wakefield, Minor Entertainments, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Flatpack Film.

Professor Anita Taylor Chair

Anita Taylor is an artist; Professor & Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee; founding Director, Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize (est.1994) and Drawing Projects UK (2009). Drawing is central to her practice – in the studio, education, research, and public engagement – as a vital means of communication, expression and investigation.

Angharad is a solicitor and Notary Public. She worked in a number of leading law firms before setting up her own legal business a decade ago. Specialising in charity law, she helps the board with legal and governance issues using experience gained from her work as a lawyer and on previous trustee boards. Angharad has a special interest in social responsibility and environmental issues.

Bernard is Head of Policy at the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, an AHRC-funded centre that supports the growth of the creative industries through independent research and policy advice. Previously he has been Head of Research and Practice at the Design Council, the UK’s national strategic advisor on design, and a researcher and education curator at the Design Museum, where he helped to establish the Future Observatory programme. From 2019-2023 he was an Associate Lecturer at University of the Arts London. He is also a Trustee of Engage, the national charity promoting participation in the visual arts.

Chris is a financially oriented, strategy and planning professional. The are a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA), Treasurer at Creative Lives and the RNLI (West London). Their career includes work in charitable arts, pharmaceuticals, tech and consulting sectors, delivering functional expertise in business planning, finance, marketing and operations.

Damien is the Director of Create, Ireland’s national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts. Previously, he worked with Creative Lives (formerly Voluntary Arts), Tate and National Galleries of Scotland, and collaborated with Engage on sector training events through the Artist Rooms programme. Damien is also a trustee of Réalta, the national body for arts and health in Ireland.

Julian had a long career in the NHS as a senior leader of hospitals in London. He has had a life long interest in visual arts and trained as an artist in Canada and London. As well as a practitioner Julian brings expertise in organisational development and governance to Engage

Marianna’s background is in the arts, with over ten years experience in various roles, and the past 3 years as a creative arts and employment mentor for students and recent graduates. They combine disciplines with experience in film, theatre, fashion and arts sectors to research, develop and produce engaging and thought-provoking projects, with diverse knowledge to support multidisciplinary projects. Marianna has been a contributing writer on fashion, Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability and the Luxury Fashion Market for Not Just a Label and other publications, and act as a consultant and assistant for short periods to support creative work for various independent theatre and film projects. Marianna aims to research, develop and produce/support projects that are engaging and accessible.

Peter has engaged in youth participation initiatives since being elected a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) in 2017. He has actively represented a youth voice with organisations including SYP, Future Leaders Network, and the British Youth Council. He has also represented a youth voice at the international level, and has worked to advance a youth perspective in the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. He is currently studying for an MLitt degree in International Security Studies at the University of St Andrews.

Molly Cawthorn East, England Representative

Mixed media landscape artist and creative facilitator based in Cambridge. Molly has a backrgound investigating the interdisciplinary nature of art, entertainment, education, and museum studies. She currently works with multiple arts and education organisations: Kettle’s Yard, The Leys School, The Paint Club and The De Reus Foundation. Her facilitation focuses on fostering creative engagement with the arts, with a specialist interest in young people’s mental health, neurodiversity and creativity, alongside developing her own creative practice. 

Jazz Willet London Representative

Jazz is a Participation Manager at Crafts Council. They work with young people and communities to lead on the delivery of craft opportunities, training and events. Jazz is passionate about creating different resources, events and programming that can help make the crafts sector accessible.

Joanna Salter London Representative

Joanna is a Fine Art graduate with over 20 years engagement practice and on the ground working knowledge of the Museum and Heritage sector. Passionate about inserting contemporary art and creative practice into traditional and non-traditional settings, Joanna leads the Arts Programme and Partnerships team at Orleans House Gallery.

Stephanie O’Neill London Representative

Stephanie is the Community Programme Manager at Art Explora UK, where she leads the programme to connect people in care settings with arts and culture. Having previously worked at London Transport Museum and Watts Gallery, Steph has 13 years of experience engaging with and advocating for schools, families, young people and community groups. She is particularly passionate about creative heath and equitable access to the arts.  

Marianna Sfyridi London Representative (Digital Engagement Lead)

Marianna is a performer and movement practitioner with a background in healthcare and EdTech.

Morgan Stockton East Midlands, England Representative

Morgan is Creative Health Coordinator for Arts Derbyshire, and Co-Chair of the Early Years in Museums Network. Alongside this, Morgan works in freelance learning and engagement roles across the East and West Midlands with Ikon Gallery, Talent25, Nottingham Contemporary, Moonbeams and Seeds & Dreams.

Azadeh Fatehrad North East, England Representative

Azadeh is Professor of Art and Public policy at Teesside University. She is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research, curatorial and artistic practice focus on migrant homemaking and integration politics. Her work ranging from still and moving images to fictional stories, short films, and artist books. Azadeh has exhibited internationally, including at the Gotland museum, Beaconsfiled, Design Biennale Somerset House, and the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt among others. She has curated exhibition and film programmes across Europe and the Middle East, such as at Maraya Art Centre (Sharjah), Institite for Contemprary Art, Goethe Institute, The Showroom and Closeup Center for Film (UK), Framer Framed (Amsterdam), among others. She co-founded ‘Herstoriographies: The Feminist Media Archive Research Network’ in London.

Lily Daniels North East, England Representative

Lily Daniels is a collaborative artist and experienced administrator dedicated to working with diverse communities to develop impactful art and performance initiatives. With a strong background in arts administration, she currently holds the position of Learning & Participation Manager at GemArts, an organisation located in Gateshead committed to providing arts programming with and for the South Asian community.

Liz Wewiora North West, England Representative (on parental leave)

Liz Wewiora is a visual artist and creative producer/ curator, specialising in socially engaged practice, with a background in fine art photography. She is the Head of Social Practice for Open Eye Gallery, manages the national network for socially engaged photography (SEPN) and is the Programme Leader on the MA Art and Design Programmes at the University of Salford. Across all of her roles, she seeks to instigate and produce collaborative community led projects that push for social change and positive health for people and the planet.

Olivia Glasser North West, England Representative (Freelancers Lead)

Olivia is a Manchester-based freelance artist educator and facilitator, who creates frameworks for people to use art as a tool for situating themselves within and asking questions of the world. Previously working in arts development, her current focus is on providing opportunities for children and young people to collaborate with artists on co-created, ambitious work, which emerge through problem solving, play and engaging with unconventional materials. Recent partners include Art Assembly, the Chester Contemporary and Curious Minds. Olivia has also taught art & design programmes in higher education for over 10 years and is Associate Lecturer at the School of Arts & Media at the University of Salford, and is the Creative Producer at Manchester Jewish Museum.

Heather Thomas South East, England Representative

Heather is the Head of Learning and Engagement at The Lightbox in Woking, Surrey where she works with children, young people and adults in heritage and creativity. She has specialisms in areas of children and adult mental health projects and creativity for people living with dementia. She has also been a consultant on various external learning and access projects. Prior to this she worked as a freelance artist, theatre programmer and arts events organiser.

Rosie May South East, England Representative

Rosie is Inclusion Coordinator at MK Gallery, co-running their Inclusive Practice in the Arts (IPA) programme since 2022. She has a background in freelance Illustration and facilitation, maintaining her practice still alongside her work at MKG. 

Sophie Bennet South East, England Representative

Sophie is the Producer of Inclusion at MK Gallery, Milton Keynes, and heads up their Inclusive Practice in the Arts programme. She has worked in the field of inclusive arts for many years and has a background in facilitating dynamic visual arts projects for diverse groups across various settings.

Beth Richards South West, England Rep (Research and Evaluation Lead)

Beth is a creative practitioner working as an artist, curator, researcher, and educator; with a focus on collaborative practices. Their work is inherently social and community-engaged; they often work with communities of geography, identity, and interest to co-produce creative projects. Their focus is on presenting work outside of institutional spaces, in the public realm, and more recently, in rural contexts. Currently Beth co-directs an artist-led space on a Cornish cliff top, Rame Projects; works as Education & Engagement Curator at Harbour House Art & Wellbeing Charity in South Devon; and as a freelance artist-researcher nationally. In 2020 they completed a practice-led PhD titled ‘Poor Copy: Fan Practices and Producerly Art Making’, funded by the University of Plymouth; this work continues to inform their arts practice and engagement with transformative practices, community-led archives, and popular culture.

Bettina Wenzel South West, England Representative

Bettina has worked in independent and institutional contexts across the arts in Germany and the UK and enjoys connecting communities with art production and making. She has been living in Cornwall for over a decade and understands the joys and challenges of working in a hyper-rural environment. She is keen to support Engage members in making the most of their membership.

Devon Tipping South West, England Representative (Equality and Inclusion Lead)

Devon is an illustrator and creative facilitator based in the South West, who explores how participatory illustration can increase community engagement in the climate crisis, improve people’s mental health, and increase joy. They explore narratives of climate justice within their work with a focus on LGBT representation and they love print-making, ceramics and watercolour to do this. They also run Community in Print which offers accessible arts workshops to encourage engagement in the arts and positive joyful ways of thinking about the climate crisis and natural world.

Rebecca English South West, England Representative

With over 10 years experience working in the cultural sector, Rebecca has led on a number of national initiatives for organisations such as the Victoria & Albert Museum. Originally trained as a secondary art & design teacher, Rebecca has worked extensively with schools and teachers, including leading on national and regional CPDL. Rebecca also holds a BA Hons in Graphic Design and an MA in Contemporary Curatorial Practice.

Angie Thompson Yorkshire, England Representative

Angie is Youth Engagement Officer at Leeds Art Gallery. Before working in the arts and heritage industry, Angie worked in child protection, social care and for a national children’s charity. She has 20 years’ experience working with children and young adults here in the UK and abroad. Angie is a postgraduate in the fields of youth and community development, museums and galleries, socially engaged practice, specializing in youth engagement, advocacy, co-production, youth arts and youth voice. She works for Leeds Museums and Galleries and, based at Leeds Art Gallery offering one to one workshops, events, curation and weekly sessions for all young adults aged 14-24. Angie most enjoys working alongside young adults and finding out about their interests then collaborating with them to select artworks, collections and exhibitions which they find interesting and making a creative response. In her spare time she loves wild swimming, photography and visiting as many tearooms as she can.

Jennifer Sobol Yorkshire, England Representative

Jennifer Sobol is a Learning and New Focus Manager. She has 15 year’s experience working at Impressions Gallery Bradford, a charity that helps people understand the world through photography and acts as an agent for change. In 2012, Sobol devised and developed New Focus Impressions Gallery’s award winning young people’s collective. Ten years, on New Focus is still supporting young people, from some of the most deprived areas of England, who would never usually have the opportunity to work in the arts. Members have gone onto work for cultural organisations including Channel 4, BBC, National History Museum and Magnum Photos. Jennifer is passionate about education in the visual arts; alongside her work, she runs Impressions’ learning programme, and has experience of teaching pupils and students from reception to university level.

Rachel Craddock Yorkshire, England Representative

Rachel is a Freelance Artist and Heritage Practitioner working in Yorkshire. Over the last 12 years she has worked across a range of Museums and Galleries, predominantly with young people and marginalised communities. She is currently developing her portfolio as an artist facilitator, with an interest in visual thinking strategies, co-production and evaluation.

Sasha DeWitt West Midlands Representative

Sasha DeWitt is an abstract visual artist and creative facilitator whose community practice centres on arts and health. Her projects facilitate inclusive, process-led workshops supporting adults facing mental health challenges, chronic illness, and isolation, fostering creative confidence, connection, and sustainable engagement in the arts.

Kirsten Wood Central and East Scotland Representative

My name is Kirsten Wood and I’m currently a Learning Officer with Historic Environment Scotland based at Stirling Castle. Prior to this post I studied a Degree in Design and a Masters in Fine Art/Public Art. I was a freelance artist for four years after leaving art school selling my own artwork as well as making public art working with community groups. I then did a PGCE in secondary teaching at Strathclyde University and taught for one year before becoming a Learning Office of almost 25 years! It’s a great job and my work is so varied. Our team works with all audiences, engaging them in creative ways with our heritage.

Leonie Tersiguel Central and East Scotland Representative

My name is Leonie, I am a learning assistant for Historic Environment Scotland and I am based in Stirling Castle. I am originally from Paris but moved to Glasgow to study History of Art and never left! I recently graduated from a Museum Studies MSc and am now helping to support the learning programme at Stirling Castle. I am always eager to find new ways to integrate creativity and artistic expression to the workshops and events we offer and enjoy working with a wide range of practitioners.

Yasmin Ali Central and East Scotland Representative

Yasmin Ali is a graduate of Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, achieving The George Simpson Prize on graduation, and M.A. (Hons) in Architectural Design. Her art & design – education platform goes by the moniker Print + Press, est. 2014, supported by the inclusive arts network NEUK Collective. She supports the creative community in Edinburgh, as an active member of Creative Edinburgh, a founding member of boom saloon, part of WIFIE Women in focus in Edinburgh photography collective.

Angela Massafra EDI Special Interest Representative

Angela is the Learning and Access Curator at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Glasgow Life Museums. She coordinates the programme of public engagement through which GoMA inspires schools, local communities, and young people. With a passion for making museums and art galleries a place for everyone, Angela advocates for intersectional practices and anti-racist capacity building within Glasgow Life Museums and beyond. She is invested in building networks with community organisations and working within grassroots spaces, especially in the management of COMMONSpace, the community exhibition space at GoMA.

Catharine Clark North West Scotland Representative

Catharine has worked in the field of arts and crafts for many years and found great joy in bringing others together through creative activity. ‘I have worked in various healthcare, educational and community settings, and had the privilege of witnessing the therapeutic benefits of creativity to workshop participants. I have used puppetry, 2D and 3D media, textiles and storytelling as mediums for exploration and creation. Last year I set up a community art shop on the Isle of Cumbrae which focused on running traditional Scottish heritage crafts workshops, as well as being a creative community hub and exhibition space. Currently I am undertaking research across the Outer Hebrides on the health benefits of creating by living water, i.e. the value of Blue Health, and becoming part of the wider Outer Hebridean art network where I now live’.

Keisha Rowe Scotland South West Representative

Keisha Rowe is an Edinburgh-based artist and educator whose work spans pattern design, illustration, and ceramics. Formally trained with a PGDE in 2020, Keisha has over five years of experience in the arts, including work with National Museums Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland and currently with the Widening Participation team at The Glasgow School of Art. She is passionate about “play over perfection,” moving away from classroom norms to create low-pressure, accessible spaces. Her workshops focus on the joy of making and celebrating marginalised voices, ensuring that creative environments feel welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely fun for everyone.

Antony Mottershead Mid Wales Representative

Antony develops and manages Sidney Nolan Trust’s creative programmes, exhibitions, learning, and collections and archive. He trained in Fine Art Photography and has worked in the arts & cultural sector for over 10 years. Previously he was Arts Development Officer for Orkney Islands Council and helped develop Forestry England’s national arts programme Forest Art Works. He is a Clore Emerging Leader.

Jo Munton Mid Wales Representative

Jo Munton is a puppeteer and storyteller, sculptor and animator. She has performed internationally from Siberia to Spain, from Denmark to India. But has mostly been based in Mid Wales, working on many projects from storytelling at Bryn Cello Ddu on ynys mon to operating Giant puppets at the Millenium centre, Cardiff.

Maeve Chandler Blackburn South Wales Representative

Maeve is an interdisciplinary freelance artist living in rural Wales. She studied Art and Writing and has developed a keen interest in community and participatory arts. Her own practice and commissions cover themes of nature, play, connection, language and social curiosities. She is passionate about inclusivity and considers how art is seen in the every day; exploring ways it can become more accessible.