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Matthew Harrison-Lord

Cultural Development Officer - Wakefield Council

What I do:

I am the Cultural Development Officer at Wakefield Council, supporting the sector with Culture Grants and supporting our Public Art Framework, Heritage Action Zone, and Year of Culture 2024.

What steps I took to get where I am now:

I was a lecturer on the Performance BA for the University Centre Calderdale College (Open University) for 3 years and prior to this a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chester on the Drama & Dance MA programmes. I also ran Brighouse Arts Festival a small-scale arts festival in Calderdale for six years.

Prior to this I did my MA and BA in Drama & Theatre Performance, both at the University of Chester and I have a PGCE in Life Long Learning (Higher Education) from the University of Huddersfield.

I then saw the role advertised at Wakefield Council and thought that it neatly brought together all of my previous roles into one dream job.

What creative opportunities I'm looking for:

I would love to continue to get to know more creatives and organisations in the district, and to support and see more residents and community groups in Wakefield to engage in high quality culture.

My proudest moment:

Touring Europe and the UK with my own performance art / theatre shows.

My dream creative collaboration:

To work with Lone Twin

What does Wakefield mean to me?
Opportunity!