The festival team are creative producers, curators and specialists in their sector – Derek Dick, Emma Kelly, James Goodison and Janey Moran
Derek Dick
As a contemporary curator Derek acts as a catalyst for dialogue; an intermediary between a number of diverse groups of people, each with different interests, demands and expectations. Derek facilitates a dialogue between these groups and the custodians of the Collections at the Museum & Art Gallery, to encourage engagement at all levels.
A highly experienced exhibitions and galleries manager, Derek’s interest lies in developing audiences, which is a driving force behind the inception of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival. This is achieved through a year round programme of exhibitions, events, activities and gallery developments. Derek develops partnerships with external artists, organisations, galleries, funders, collectors and stakeholders.
Emma Kelly
Emma has vast experience in art production deriving from roles as Head Curator at Python Arts and Assistant Curator at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery. In addition Emma has recently thrived in the international environment of Liverpool Biennial as Curatorial Intern. To strengthen her knowledge of contemporary art practice, Emma is studying MA Art History & Curating, and her research focuses on curatorial authoship and artist production in biennials.
Emma is experienced in project managing art programmes, demonstrated through her independent ACE funded Making Sense exhibition co-curated at Fallout Factory. Emma has a great interest in artworks that transform the viewer from observer to physical participant; Making Sense challenged this idea, encouraging visitors to engage with their senses through interactive artworks.
James Goodison
With a background in media, film and animation, James is interested in experimentation with work at the intersection of digital arts and film and how the human experience relates to spaces and environments. James thrives in engaging with young people and work with social impacts, creating a range of additional benefits for artists and participants through the festival stakeholders.
A graduate of Media Studies, James actively engages with film and digital arts, and through his arts development role has honed skills in project and event management, as well as a engaging individuals, groups, and artists locally and across the region.
Janey Moran
Janey’s interest is in creating the conditions in which risk taking can thrive, allowing artistic experimentation and innovation through the festival. Underpinning this is the desire to develop new ways for arts audiences and the public to engage with contemporary arts practice across art forms and in discourses around the essence, value and contribution of contemporary arts.
Janey is a creative leader with vision and passion for the arts, and experience of commissioning, programming and producing high quality cultural programmes. Janey has knowledge and experience across art forms with specialist expertise in dance and performing arts, audience development, and engagement.
The wider support team through Culture Warrington:
- Interpretation Officer – Roger Jeffery
- Commercial Manager – Chrissie Leahy
- Marketing Manager – Natalie Persogilo
- Marketing & Press Officer – Paul Howard
- Venue & Events Manager – Chris Persoglio
- Venue & Events Officers – Jen Hughes, Emma Joyce, Danny Baker
- Technical Manager – Dale Land / Mike Dunn
- Documentation (Photography) – Luke Addison / Tony Culps
- Documentation (Film) – Simon Brown
- Finance Manager – Andrea Newberry
- Volunteer Co-ordinator – Mike Roberts