Creative Island Ident (Teal)
The Cultural Development Agency for the Isle of Wight

Gavin Stride, 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.

Gavin Stride portrait by Julian Winslow

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.

Email: gavin@creativeisland.org