We sit across arts and cultural organisations, educational institutions, the city council and other stakeholders committed to developing cultural learning opportunities for children and young people in Leeds.
Who we are
Our Trustees
Dr Briony Thomas (she/her), Chair of Trustees
Associate Professor, University of Leeds
Briony is an academic and multidisciplinary designer. She holds a joint appointment between the Schools of Mechanical Engineering and Design where she leads a portfolio of research at the intersection of the arts, science and society. Briony’s teaching focuses on the areas of creativity and professional practice, delivered in collaboration with the creative industries. She also leads interdisciplinary outreach and engagement activities with collaborations between arts, engineering, and the sciences, focused on co-creating learning experiences for children and young people.
Since joining the University of Leeds in 2004, Briony has received numerous awards for research impact, public engagement with research, teaching and leadership. To learn more about Briony’s work, visit her university page here.
Wendy Harris (she/her)
Artistic Director, Tutti Frutti
Wendy has been artistic director at tutti frutti, based in Leeds, since 2005, touring nationally and internationally and co-producing a range of projects as well as the tutti frutti club. Before this she was artistic director at Red Ladder Theatre Company, who created and toured work for young people aged 13+, and Merseyside Young People’s Theatre Company. Wendy was founder and director of Loud Mouth Mime Theatre.
Wendy has worked with a wide range of companies as a freelance director including the Everyman Theatre Liverpool, Rejects Revenge, Crucible Theatre Sheffield, Hope Street Ltd, Oxford Stage Company, European Stage Company, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Contact Theatre Manchester. International work includes work with the State Theatre Turkey and touring from Hungary to Canada. tutti frutti has toured from Hong Kong to the USA.
Wendy is also the Chair of PYA England (Assitej UK).
Matt McCallum
Associate Director of Programmes, Arts and Humanities Research Council (UKRI)
Matt oversees public funding for research at the Arts and Humanities Research Council. A key component of his work is to articulate the social, cultural, and economic value of the arts and humanities, and to place creative approaches at the centre of efforts to address urgent and complex contemporary societal challenges such as climate justice, addressing health inequalities, and developing digital public goods.
He is a passionate advocate for social justice and an active proponent in driving inclusion for arts, culture, heritage and the environment.
Selina McGonagle (she/her)
Executive Lead, Craven Arts House, and Independent Arts Advisor
Selina is a dedicated arts professional with over 25 years of experience working in the Creative sector, particular in cultural engagement and creative learning in both community and education settings. She has worked in leadership and senior management roles for TIN Arts, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Northern Ballet and the Geraldine Connor Foundation.
Selina is currently Executive Lead at Craven Arts in North Yorkshire, developing the charity and a new Arts House. She works as an independent advisor for Youth Music, mentors young cultural professionals for South Asian Arts UK and supports the development of TIN Arts work internationally.
Angus Smith
Assistant Headteacher, Cockburn School
Assistant Headteacher at Cockburn School responsible for Quality of Education – Intent and Impact, including Curriculum and Timetable / Assessment and Exams / School organisation and communication. Director of Marketing and Communications across the Cockburn MAT.
A senior leader for over 14 years, teaching Drama at Cockburn School since 2002. His work has contributed to Cockburn School’s Ofsted Outstanding judgement and successive Artsmark Platinum awards. He is designated by the National College as a Specialist Leader in Education and by the DfE National Professional Qualification for Headship.
Angus is a proud advocate for cultural equity for young people regardless of circumstances.
Elvie Thompson (she/her)
Lead Learning Producer North, British Library
Elvie is co-lead of the British Library’s Leeds public engagement programme, including city-wide partnership working and on-site programming at Boston Spa. Before this, she led the Arts Council England Bridge programme for North East England. Elvie’s earlier career was spent working in archaeology, so she can handle a trowel, knows a shocking amount about the Romans, and looks great in a medieval dress.
Our Advisory Board
Ruth Cooper-Rowan (she/her)
Artistic Director, Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers (CYTM)
Co-Artistic Director, Fidget Theatre
Ruth is a Writer, Director and Theatre Maker. As Artistic Director of CYTM, Ruth regularly works with young people co-create innovative and meaningful theatre; studio shows, main-stage productions and site-specific performances. Ruth’s numerous writer/director credits for CYTM include The Leeds Rainforest (2022) “Beautiful and thoughtful youth theatre”, remotely produced film, The Never Was (2020) and projects in partnership with Light Night, HMD, Leeds Lit Fest and Leeds City Museum.
Ruth is also Co-Artistic Director of Fidget Theatre CIO, making playful, participatory theatre for children and families. Writer/director credits include Jack Frost, Pirate Bonnie, Robyn Hood and Football Freddie, “Children’s theatre at its best” (Yorkshire Times).
Rachel Craddock (she/her)
Learning Coordinator, Cultural Collections and Galleries at University of Leeds Libraries, and Freelancer for Arts and Heritage Participation
Rachel has 15 years’ experience developing and facilitating creative and cultural learning activities across different arts and heritage organisations in London and Yorkshire. During this time, she has focussed on developing access to arts education and careers for everyone, especially those from underrepresented communities. She is proud to have developed a range of training programmes and apprenticeships giving young people access to the Creative and Cultural sector. Amongst other things, she now works on the ‘Welcoming Migrants’ programme at the University of Leeds, which through object-based enquiry aims to enrich the wellbeing, cultural and social capital of people with experience of migration living in Leeds.
Kate Fellows (she/her)
Head of Learning and Access, Leeds Museums and Galleries
Kate has worked with object-based learning in museums since 2003 for a range of organisations including the National Trust, Harewood House and IWM North. She is currently the Head of Learning and Access for Leeds Museums and Galleries, and moderates for Artsmark for Arts Council England. Kate is a regional rep for GEM Yorkshire and Humberside, a member of the Cultural Learning Alliance advisory panel, Chair of the Yorkshire Accessible Museums Network (YAMN) and founding member for GLAM Cares supporting staff wellbeing. She is also an accredited coach.
He is a passionate advocate for social justice and an active proponent in driving inclusion for arts, culture, heritage and the environment.
Carl Hartley is a lecturer and broadcaster with nearly 25 years of radio experience. He is currently a lecturer in Journalism Practice at the University of Leeds, where he teaches broadcast and digital journalism.
In addition to his academic role, Carl is a Senior Journalist at the BBC, where he regularly reads the news for BBC 5-Live and other BBC radio stations. He also works as a consultant for the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation, providing strategic advice and training for its team.
He is also involved in producing “The Sound of Politics” podcast hosted by Professor Stephen Coleman, which explores political communication.
Louisa Keohane (she/her)
Head of Performing Arts, Carr Manor Community School
Louisa studied at NSCD, graduating with first class honours and working with Phoenix Dance Theatre, touring nationally and internationally. She later worked freelance in schools and colleges, and from there achieved a teaching qualification. After gaining QTS, Louisa set up and taught dance and drama in her school and ran a boy’s dance crew. In 2019, Louisa became Head of Performing Arts at Carr Manor Community School, broadening her knowledge of the arts into acting, music and film to further enhance the opportunities for young people. In 2021, Louisa performed her own work, ‘Pursuit of Perfection’ at The Leeds Playhouse.
Rachel Rushton (she/her)
Subject Leader of Music, Lawnswood School Leeds
Rachel studied Music at Leeds College of Music and a PGCE in Music at Huddersfield University. Her teaching career began in Calderdale, where she spent several years honing her craft before moving back to Leeds. She currently serves as the Subject Leader of Music at Lawnswood School, where she leads a dynamic department and inspires students to explore their musical potential. With extensive experience in teaching Music across secondary school settings (ages 11-18), including onsite alternative provisions and outreach projects in primary schools across Leeds, Rachel is deeply committed to creating student-centred opportunities that foster personal and academic growth. Her passion for Music extends beyond the classroom— she is dedicated to using the Arts to empower students and build stronger, more connected communities.
Lisa Turney (she/her)
Principal Officer, Culture Programmes, Leeds City Council
Lisa is a Principal Officer, in the Culture Programmes Team at Leeds City Council. Her work focuses on policy and projects, with an emphasis on international culture and cultural data. She also has a strong background in education and leadership. Formerly a Cultural Education Manager, working at a regional level and a Key Stage Leader and Teacher, she has built her career around cultivating positive workplace culture and driving strategic improvements for all, including children and young people.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog. Driven by curiosity and a dedication to continuous growth, Lisa is committed to creating environments where people feel empowered to grow and succeed.
Kathy Williams MBE, OLY (she/her)
Director, RJC Dance
Original member and award-winning Director of RJC Dance with a career spanning 30+ years. As a young elite artistic gymnast Kathy represented Great Britain in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics Games, after which her career has focused on creating transformative experiences through arts and culture for children, young people and communities.
Awards: 2020 One Dance UK, Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance of the African Diaspora; 2021 Nominated a Leeds Hero, part of the Waterfront Arts Project; 2023 Awarded MBE in King’s New Year’s 2023 Honours List, services to dance; 2024 Winner Yorkshire Choice Award, Community Arts, by public vote; 2024 Winner Leeds West Indian Carnival Best troupe.
David Wilson (he/him)
Teacher and Creative Arts Curriculum Lead, Greenmount Primary School
David Wilson been a teacher at Greenmount Primary for ten years with the majority of that time as Creative Arts Curriculum Lead. His role has allowed him to explore links between the ideas of cultural capital and their presence in the national curriculum, as well as develop enrichment opportunities for the school’s wider community in Beeston. In 2023, David collaborated with Leeds University and Leeds33 on a research project called Culture On The Doorstep, a child-led approach to exploring cultural capital within the 15-minute area around the school. He is looking forward to representing primary educators in his role at Leeds33.
Jane Zanzottera (she/her)
Arts Manager/ 0-19 Learning Improvement Consultant, ArtForms, Learning Improvement, Leeds City Council
Jane works with primary and secondary schools to support them to deliver a high quality curriculum. This includes developing and delivering training in specific primary subjects (Art, D&T) and working 1:1 with subject leaders. For secondary schools, she is part of the Leading Learning Partnership Quality Assurance Team, working with Learning and Teaching Specialists (all subjects) and secondary Art, D&T and PE subject leaders. Jane also works on the schools annual conference programme. She has strong partnerships with the arts and cultural sector and FE/HE institutions in Leeds and she is the strategic co-lead for the Child Friendly Leeds Wish 7.
Our Staff
Hannaa Hamdache (she/her)
Senior Engagement Producer, Leeds33
Hannaa manages Leeds33 and has worked within the realm of arts education under different guises for a handful of years. Previous to this, she has worked in the Creative Learning and Engagement Team at LEEDS 2023: Year of Culture and within Arts Council England’s Bridge programme for the East Midlands at The Mighty Creatives. When not at Leeds33, she supports creative workshops at The Hepworth Wakefield as a Learning Facilitator and moonlights as an artist, having exhibited at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and Leeds Art Gallery amongst others.
Mai Thomas (she/her)
Communications Co-ordinator, Leeds33
Mai is the Communications Co-ordinator for Leeds33 as part of her internship. She is also currently completing her undergraduate degree in Philosophy and hopes to go on to complete a PhD in ethics. Mai’s love for writing and words is what she hopes she brings to the job, and also makes her future.
Latest news
Goodbye 2024!
It’s that time of year again where we reflect over the past 12 months on what we’ve achieved in 2024.
Cockburn School on Artsmark
Join us in speaking with Angus Smith, Assistant Headteacher at Cockburn School to talk about their Artsmark journey.
Not Just a Month
Next month, from 1st – 31st October, Black History will be celebrated across the country as part of the annual celebration of Black achievement, with a focus on the reclamation of narratives.
Back to School: Why We’re Here
Read on as we reflect on being back at school and remind ourselves why Leeds33 is here fighting for cultural education.
