Team

Claire Farrell
Artistic Director | Curator | Visiting Lecturer FRSA, MA
claire@werk.org.uk

Artist commissioning models, collaborations across a range of fields, and situated art practice are a source of ongoing interest. WERK projects are fluid with the intention to move away from traditional and reductive definitions associated with artists making work in the public realm. Inspired by the work of Artist Placement Group (APG) and Situationist International (SI) I am interested in devising unique opportunities for artists to make work and respond to, ranging from interdisciplinary, social, cultural and heritage contexts, physical landscapes and anthropogeography. Between 2018 and 2020 I undertook an extensive research period to identify limitations and opportunities within the planning system toward policy and service reform. Findings were underpinned by secondary environmental design impact studies relating to health inequalities and mental health of which influence community development aspirations within the design of all projects. The development of each project includes asset, partnership, and stakeholder mapping in the project locale to support independent fundraising, bid writing, and sponsorship.

In addition to WERK, I have held the following positions and memberships - former Art and Urbanism Specialist Panel Member for Birmingham Design and 
Conservation Review Panel which consisted of appointed professionals who share expertise to independently and objectively assess key development proposals received by Birmingham City Council, Elected Fellow of Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA), which aims to enrich society through ideas and action, Member of Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI) a unique international network bringing together cities and lighting professionals engaged in using light as a major tool for sustainable urban, social and economic development and Visiting Lecturer in Cultural Planning, Art Policy, Stakeholder Theory for Birmingham City University. Through much valued project funding and bursary support from the British Council and Birmingham City Council, I have developed projects, platforms for knowledge exchange and artist exchange opportunities with organisations and municipalities in the following European and International cities over the last decade; Berlin, Lyon, Paris, Leipzig, Lund, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Turin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and New Zealand.

Currently I am the Arts, Culture & Placemaking Strategic Development lead for Canal & River Trust supporting their UK wide arts programme whilst I am on part-time maternity leave. A new chapter for WERK with a focus on Wales will return at some point in the near future.

Associates

Stephen Burke
Project & Communications Coordinator 2013-2017

Stephen Burke graduated from Falmouth University in 2012 as a photographic artist. Stephen joined WERK as an intern to gain insight and experience within project management and production in late 2013. He is interested in exploring the relationship between people and place, and how our social and physical environments can have a determining effect on who we are and how we live our lives. Conversation, chance, collaboration and celebration are key themes in his approach to creating work. 


Ian Richards
Visual Artist and Designer  2013-2017

Using processes of social engagement he explores society and culture with the aim of disrupting expectations and personalising mainstream narrative. Richards invites dialogue and interaction through the content, design and location of his work in public spaces. The artist works in diverse forms including sound, print, text and image, installation and multiples.

Sophia Tarr, Longbridge Light Festival Producer, 2013-2015
Sophia Tarr was the Longbridge Light Festival producer in its inaugural year in 2014, creating & implementing the foundations for future festivals and activities in Longbridge. Sophia is now part of the STEAMhouse team as part of Birmingham City University.  

Sara Crathorne
Freelance Producer Longbridge Light Festival 2016

Sara Crathorne is an independent Stage Manager, Producer and Operations Manager. Sara has extensive experience managing offsite performances, installations and productions. Sara has worked all over the U.K. and interantionally with the  Birmingham Rep and more recently Fierce Festival.
 



 

Becky Woodcock
Fringe Programme Coordinator Longbridge Light Festival
Becky came to Birmingham in 2012 to study Jazz Clarinet performance at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Alongside working as an active freelance clarinet teacher, Becky works as a freelance Project Manager and Festival Co-ordinator, having worked with various arts festivals and venues in the region including Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival, Lunar Festival and Moseley Folk Festival. She also works at Town Hall Symphony Hall as Schools Project Manager, devising and delivering 7 schools projects, focusing on a close working relationship with Ladywood Primary Schools.


Theodora Pangos Intern & Graphic Designer, 2011 - 2016
Theodora joined WERK as an intern in 2011 and has worked on numerous projects since then. Being part of WERK has enabled her to work as part of a team, collaborate with different artist and evaluate the relevance of different materials and approaches in a coherent form. Theodora is currently project managing the Agency at BCU and is studying MA Visual Communication.

WERK Board of Trustees

The WERK board of trustees seek to determine policy, governance and, together with the WERK team set the strategic direction for WERK. It oversee's the management of organisation, acting as guardians of WERK's ethos and long term objectives seeking to represent a broad range of different backgrounds, areas of expertise and perspectives on the board. WERK trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and are unremunerated.

Hannah Rogers
Chair

Hannah Rogers is currently head of organisational development at the Big Lottery Fund specialising in people development, with a keen personal interest and passion in supporting community and societal development. Hannah is the Chair of the WERK Board of Trustees with a key focus on strategy and governance.

Emma Thompson
Trustee

Emma Thompson is currently the manager of The Triage Team at St Basils specialising in working with homeless young people, and is passionate about community and partnership development. Emma's key focus as part of the WERK Board of Trustees is to identify and create professional development opportunities for young people.