We are delighted to announce that Selina McGonagle will be joining our current Chair, Briony Thomas, as Co-Chair of Leeds33, as they come together to lead the organisation and shape its future direction.
Selina brings with her a wealth of experience across arts, education, and community engagement, alongside a deep-rooted connection to Leeds33’s journey. Having supported the organisation since its early beginnings as the Cultural Education Partnership led by Leeds City Council, Selina’s appointment reflects both continuity and ambition for the future.
Working alongside Briony, Selina will help guide Leeds33 in its mission to ensure that every child and young person across the city has access to high-quality arts and cultural opportunities.
A Message from Selina
About Selina
Selina started her career as a dancer, training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in Leeds. She graduated and started work with TIN Arts delivering dance in education and community settings across the North. TIN’s focus on inclusive practice and making dance accessible to all, has been the bedrock of her working practise.
While working in the Northeast she worked with numerous arts organisations. Dance City (The National Dance Agency) performing on the roof of the Sunderland Glass Centre with Wayne McGregor Dance Company. At Durham City Arts touring an inflatable pink rabbit storytelling tent around mining villages for Durham Literature Festival.
2004 she became the Education and Community Manager at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, establishing the Centre for Advanced Training, the first pre-vocational contemporary dance training centre outside of London. NSCD hosted the first National Youth Dance Festival, and she initiated the annual community dance platform and managed a broad programme of dance engaging children and young people.
2009 she joined Northern Ballet as the Director of Learning. Her role focusing on community engagement and audience development strategies, the most recognised of these was ‘Short Ballets for Small People.” An initiative that started as a Leeds Inspired project, which went onto national touring and broadcasting through the BBC Channel, CBeebies and winning a Children’s TV BAFTA. She co-ordinated and delivered two international collaborations in China, working with teachers and artists in Beijing on inclusive dance practice at the Paralympic games.
Selina became Director of the Geraldine Connor Foundation (GCF) in 2016. After many years working in dance GCF allowed an opportunity to work across a variety of art forms. She co-produced Carnival Messiah the Film and Documentary and Windrush projects Sorrel and Black Cake, and Generations Dreaming.
Since 2023, she has worked as an Advisor to a range of arts organisations, supporting grant assessment processes, fund raising and mentoring. In September 2024 she became Executive Lead at Craven Arts supporting the charity to grow and develop into a regional arts centre in Skipton, North Yorkshire. She continues to work with South Asian Arts UK as a mentor on the Headstart programme, supporting the development of young creative professionals.
