Search
We want to make the best use of the resources we have, nurture talent, ensure we are better connecting people, encourage collaboration between the Island’s heritage and creative sector and attract new investment into the Island.
We are curious about how to encourage generosity, make connections with other Island communities around the world who share some of the same challenges. We want to express ourselves as a contemporary, vibrant set of communities of 33 parishes, nine towns and one Island.
Creative Island has worked with the Isle of Wight council to develop the Cultural Strategy for the next ten years.
Cultural Education Partnership Manager
Claire has been an educator within the Arts for over 15 years, across primary and secondary settings and worked as Performer and Choreographer within companies and community projects, giving her a strong understanding of the needs of teachers, young-people and creative professionals alike.
In Claire’s role as Manager for the IW Cultural Education Partnership (IW CEP), she aims to deepen and develop further the relationship between educators and cultural organisations both on the Isle of Wight and beyond through collaborative processes, in order to raise aspirations and help all our Island’s young people have access to diverse cultural experiences.
The IW CEP will strive to showcase the diverse opportunities within the creative sector and build a resource and connected community that will have a lasting legacy.
Director
Gavin is a leader of cultural organisations: most recently for Farnham Maltings, a nationally regarded arts and community centre which led the town to securing of World Craft City status.
Whilst at the Maltings Gavin founded House, a 176-venue network across south-east England that programmes and commissions new work for the region and Caravan, an international development programme for the independent theatre sector.
He is the chair of Wildworks Theatre Company and of Surrey Cultural Partnership. Gavin is the former chair of the Independent Theatre Council, a fellow of the RSA, and was previously vice chair of Arts Council South East.
As a theatre maker, Gavin has made over 75 productions for rural communities, primarily performed in village halls. His most recent production of The Syrian Baker by Kevin Dyer toured England, Scotland and Wales and was the 2022 winner of Play of the Year.
Deputy Director
Georgia founded and leads on the Isle of Wight Creative Network, which supports and nurtures creative talent on the Island.
For 14 years, Georgia was the Visual Arts Manager for the Isle of Wight’s leading art centre, Quay Arts. She has worked for over ten years as an independent Cultural Consultant, Curator and Creative Producer, working in contemporary visual arts and the creative industries.
Focusing on co-creation and collaboration, she works with creative practitioners and cultural organisations, helping them realise their artistic visions, through curatorial support, strategic development and fundraising.
She is on the Steering Group for Visual Arts South West – advocating for more meaningful visual arts opportunities across the region – and an adjunct member of the IW Biosphere Steering Committee.
Project Producer CAN YOU HEAR US?
Jo Ridley is a Project Producer for Creative Island, leading the delivery of the Place Partnership CAN YOU HEAR US?
She is a founding member and Senior Consultant for Bertha Earth, where she helped shape the organisation’s vision, mission and theory of change and continues to co-design youth-led programmes and immersive, nature-based retreats.
Jo is also a founding member of the Alliance for Youth Organising UK, a collective working to shift resources and decision-making power to young people, so they can work together to win change. She has a background spanning community organising, environmental conservation, expeditions, nature-based education and youth leadership.
Heritage Lead
Kelly has been working in Island heritage for 10 years delivering a number of roles within collections, grant funding, education and management.
Having grown up on the Isle of Wight, she is passionate about its heritage. Blending her love for the countryside and its history led her to study an MA in Archaeology and Heritage with a thesis on local landscape archaeology.
Following on from this, she is currently an archaeological PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. Kelly says that the people of our past fascinate her, and she loves hearing about the tales that are weaved around historical objects. Bringing the past to new audiences along with championing an accessible and inclusive heritage for all is what drives her in her work.
In her role, she will be using this passion to support Iocal heritage groups in creating a more resilient Island heritage for all.
Community Engagement
Lisa is an experienced consultant who works in the field of community engagement within the museum and heritage sector, under the name InspirEd.
Working as a freelance practitioner for the past 20 years, Lisa has successfully managed a range of large and small community heritage projects on the Isle of Wight for local museums and community organisations, many of which were made possible with Lottery and ACE funding.
In 2024 Lisa managed, on behalf of Creative Island, It’s Your Museum - a collaborative project involving five accredited museums with the aim of deepening their relationships with their local communities. Over 2025-2026, Lisa has worked on Connecting Libraries - an initiative for libraries to be recognised as collaborative, innovative spaces that can meet the needs of future generations.
Lisa is particularly passionate about making local heritage relevant for under-served audiences and creating increased access and opportunities for people to learn about, be involved with and share local heritage.
Recently, Lisa has been awarded a Regional Advisor title for the Oral History Society, within the South West network.
Regional advisers actively encourage and support the development and use of oral history in their locality, and contribute an overview of this to an Annual Report for the Oral History Society.
Some Advisers will be able to recommend local equipment suppliers, and may even be able to lend equipment. Others will have archival and copying facilities. All represent the Society in their local area and will lend an ear.
Communications Manager
As Communications Manager, Sam is responsible for creating and managing all the content for Creative Island's social media and to better tell the story of the Island to itself and the wider world.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting, Sam also has over a decade-long experience in the marketing industry and has worked for numerous local brands and businesses on the Isle of Wight. Sam's lifelong passionate involvement in entertainment and the arts has instilled a desire to help nurture creativity, in all those who live, work and play here.
A committed advocate for sustainable living, Sam actively promotes green practices and environmentally conscious decisions in her everyday and work life.
Sam aims to showcase the Island for all it has to offer, whether that's in our heritage sector, art centres, theatre companies, school events - she will help build, support and nurture collaborations to ensure the Island flourishes.
If you'd like something shared across our platforms, please email:
Voluntary Arts Coordinator
I’ve worked in the voluntary and community sector for over 35 years, including more than 25 years on the Isle of Wight. Much of my work has involved supporting grassroots organisations, bringing people together and helping turn good ideas into reality. Through my work with Community Action Isle of Wight and the IW Volunteer Centre, I’ve helped organisations recruit volunteers, raise their profiles, build networks and connect with their communities. I’ve organised countless events, produced newsletters and developed initiatives that encourage people to get involved in Island life. I enjoy thinking creatively, spotting opportunities and finding new ways of making things happen. Most recently, I established ICORN, the Island Community-Owned Research Network, bringing researchers, community organisations and local people together to help shape research that matters to Island communities. I’ve always had an interest in the arts and creativity, including community filmmaking, outdoor arts, dance and the many creative activities that take place in village halls, community centres and informal groups across the Island.
As Voluntary Arts Coordinator, I’m keen to discover more about the Island’s vibrant amateur and voluntary arts scene, celebrate what groups are already achieving and explore how they might benefit from working together, sharing resources, skills and ideas. I believe collaboration can open up all sorts of possibilities, particularly for smaller groups working with limited resources. I’ve lived on the Isle of Wight since 1999 and am a keen sea swimmer, allotment gardener and choir member. I love the Island’s community spirit and the extraordinary things people make happen when they come together.
Charity is an NHS nurse and trainee councillor, climate activist and community organiser. She has a strong interest in using creativity in all its forms to bring people together across differences, especially inter-generational contact.
She is a 'Wild Beach' leader and passionate about how we can work with nature to support wellbeing, creativity, and belonging.
Charity is also a trustee of the Haven IOW and a volunteer with IOW Youth Trust.
I have lived on the Isle of Wight since 2017 and work as an Economic Development Manager in local government, leading initiatives that boost business productivity, enhance skills development, and expand access to employment opportunities.
I’m passionate about making meaningful career pathways accessible for young people who’ve faced barriers, providing the holistic support they need to thrive. I believe collaboration is key to creating lasting, positive change in our communities.
Beyond work, I enjoy exploring the Island’s beautiful landscapes with my Aussiedoodle, Basil, and travelling whenever possible. As a trustee, I see an exciting opportunity to champion the creative sector as a vital part of our economic prosperity.
I am a gay and genderqueer neuro-divergent artist living with my husband and our dog on the Isle of Wight. I am the co-founder and artistic director of StoneCrabs Theatre Company and I have worked as a stage director, dramaturg and drama facilitator for over 25 years. For this I have trained in Brazil and the UK, and hold a Masters in Theatre Practices from Rose Bruford College.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure to work with some amazing creatives and organisations including Gate Theatre, London International Festival Theatre, Royal Court (International Team), RSC (Shakespeare Complete Works Season) and as an associate director at the Young Vic (2007 – 2011). I have directed projects and shows for Lewisham Youth Theatre/Catford Broadway (2006- 2015) and delivered workshops in Japan and Brazil.
I am also a regular guest lecturer/director for East15 Drama School and Regent’s University, London and have written articles for various publications including Brazil Observer and The Guardian. Recently, I have co-edited the book Out On An Island, The Isle of Wight’s LGBTQ+ Hidden History published by Medina Books.
Jack is the Creative and Development Director (Joint CEO) at Ventnor Exchange, an organisation he co-founded and whose projects include Ventnor Fringe, Brave Island and Ingram's Yard.
A graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, has previously worked at Hampstead Theatre and site managed touring venues at festivals including Bestival and Shambala.
He was until recently Treasurer at the British Arts Festival Association (BAFA) and represented the organisation at European summits, and is currently a Trustee for both New Carnival and Creative Island.
I grew up on the Island, but then left for university and work both abroad and on the big Island. I advised on national and international brand and communications for voluntary organisations in the fields of arts, heritage, tourism and mental health.
Since returning to the Island, I have held a few Governor and Trustee roles and I am currently Chair of the Friends of Newport Minster, a trustee for Sight for Wight and member of the IW Priory for St John Ambulance. Trained as a forest school leader, I create havoc in the wild, encouraging young people to build independent play outdoors and I sit on the board of the Historical Association IW Branch.
I am a heritage and art junkie and love nothing more than exploring old buildings, eccentric collections and great new art. When I’m not doing that I walk all over our wonderful Island, with a crazy cockapoo by my side.
I have worked in the arts and education for the past 20 years and am currently the Isle of Wight Music Hub Lead and the Strategic Planning and Programme Manager for Southampton Music Hub. I also have the privilege of chairing the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership.
I am passionate about the transformative power of music and the arts and education and ensuring that this is delivered inclusively for all to access and harness.
With a background in arts management, participation and music education I have worked at Salisbury Playhouse, the University of Southampton and Turner Sims Concert Hall and organised Cheltenham Music Festival before training as a secondary school music teacher and teaching in Island schools for eight years including supporting non-qualified teachers to train.
I now work for music education hubs as a music curriculum and vocal specialist leading on education strategy, participation and training for the Island’s primary and secondary workforce. I am a guest lecturer at the University of Winchester on the Teach First Secondary PGCE course and Music Education modules.
I am a keen cyclist and crochet enthusiast and enjoy leading and running several community choirs and walking my Hungarian Puli Titus along the Island’s incredible coastline.
Born and raised on the Island, I left to study History of Art at the University of Bristol. After completing my BA and MA, I embarked on a PhD exploring a collection held by Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales, as part of the AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Scheme.
I developed an interest in working in heritage, volunteering for the National Trust whilst a student, which confirmed my desire to work in the sector.
Returning to the Island more than 10 years ago, I have since worked in a variety of museums across a number of roles, from visitor services to exhibition curation and collections care, and I am a Museum Mentor for the ACE Accreditation Scheme.
I want to help local museums become more resilient and better able to share the fantastic collections they care for with the public.
I am delighted to be able to support and advocate the strategic investment in The Arts, culture and heritage on the Island through my trusteeship. I have been working on the Island and developing a professional practice as a Chartered Surveyor and business principal on the Island and in the South of the UK since the late 80s, when I left 6th Form at Medina High School for a career in the built environment.
I have always balanced a passion for Sport and the Arts. I have a particular interest in making places work for people and believe that The Arts and culture of a place offer enormous opportunities to making a community thrive.
Still living in the West Wight I have a special interest in Biophilic design and entropathic sculpture. I like to be ‘rangy’ with my interests and love urban and street art, art in the metaverse and brutalism.
I live in Bonchurch and work as strategy director for an employee owned global professional services firm working in the built environment and international development.
I have previous trustee experience of a large engineering charity and am treasurer of St Boniface Parochial Church Council. I’ve had the good fortune to chair numerous boards involving a mix of employed staff and volunteers and have recently chaired an independent panel exploring the future of the engineering underpinning the British electricity industry on behalf of the government.
My passion for arts, culture and heritage manifests itself primarily in music, where I perform as a singer, pianist and harpsichordist, in the restoration of our Bonchurch house and garden, in Island art and architecture, and in interests in classic cars, boats and railway heritage.
I have lived on the Isle of Wight since 2014, having spent most of my professional life in Switzerland, working in investment management and as a curator and art collections advisor.
I have held a variety of Trustee roles, as Vice President of Art for the World in Geneva, Treasurer of Aspex Visual Arts Trust in Portsmouth, and currently as Deputy Chair of the Classic Boat Museum in Cowes and East Cowes.
I believe passionately in the power of arts, culture and heritage to inspire hope, curiosity and ambition among young people, and I strive to promote learning and career opportunities for all.
To relax, I love sailing and cycling round our beautiful Island.
