Hi, I’m Rachel :)

I am a producer, facilitator and fundraiser working with artists, young people and their communities in the visual arts, currently based in South East London. I trained as a painter (MA Fine Art).

I currently work as Young People’s Programme Manager at National Portrait Gallery. Alongside this, I am undertaking an Arts Council England ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ research and development project, exploring best practice of youth arts participation across the UK.

I grew up in rural Northern Ireland with limited access to what’s seen to be traditional arts and culture, and so I’ve made providing opportunities for young people the driving force of my work. I’ve experienced the personal impact of participation in the arts first-hand: for confidence, for skills development, for aspirations, for potential, for questioning, for dreaming and for reimagining futures.

I’ve spent the past 10 years developing a practice that involves producing projects with and for Young People. I’ve worked across R&D, production, evaluation and wider strategic development. My focus is working with YP aged 16-30, ensuring their voice is at the core, whilst sustainably using resources of people and place. In 2019 I was a lead invigilator for Wales in Venice/Cymru yn Fenis where I supported the first team through the Vernissage for UNDO THINGS DONE - a solo show by Sean Edwards at the Venice Biennale.

I have held various roles in the Museums & Galleries sector including with Royal Museums Greenwich, Peak Cymru & undertaking various freelance fundraising/producing contracts for artists, independent curators and a range of organisations.

Collaborators have included: Jerwood, Art Night London, Charlton Athletic, Greenwich Council, Barking and Dagenham Council, Create London, Engage, Arts Marketing Association, Museums Association, Canals & River Trust, Transport for Wales, Arts Council Wales, Peak Cymru, Wales in Venice.

In 2019, I was lucky enough to receive a Marsh Award for excellence and innovation in arts education and learning, see my recipient video below.

Video credits: Sion Marshall-Waters, Peak Cymru