About Arts Active
The Arts Active Trust is an independent charitable trust supporting people to enjoy the arts through its programme of creative, participatory activities based in Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
Our Vision
Through an inclusive and accessible programme of artistic activities and opportunities that benefit a diverse range of people and communities, we want our work to support a deeper learning, community empowerment, enhanced living, improved wellbeing, extended horizons and improved life outcomes.
Mission
To engage our local communities with initiatives and activities that invigorate the imagination and stimulate the soul. Encourage people of all ages, to engage in and enjoy arts activities whilst providing accessible, local, transformative arts-led learning experiences.
What We Do
We deliver a bold programme of creative activities for all our communities across Cardiff and the South Wales region, with particular emphasis on young people and vulnerable underrepresented groups. A key role beyond delivering activity is to support and signpost people to opportunities to engage in creative activities. We see the value in all levels of creative engagement as a driver for both participation and creative production of the arts in Wales, but also the future health and wellbeing of our community as audiences, active supporters, leaders of and stakeholders in this crucial aspect of Welsh identity and cultural life.
The Team
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Bryony Harris
Community, Learning and Partnerships Manager, Director of the Arts Active programme and Secretary of the Arts Active TrustI oversee the creative and business development of Arts Active, along with delivering the vision and work of the Arts Active Trust. My background is history of art, art, and english. As a child I was a committed ballet dancer but dreams of becoming a swan were scuppered in my teens by ill health. This was when I discovered for myself how creativity can be the scaffolding for one’s overall well-being and sense of identity.
Rhian Workman
Deputy Community, Learning and Partnerships ManagerI work alongside Bryony Harris to devise, programme, develop and run the arts active programme and projects. My background is in music as a performer, teacher and workshop leader and I am passionate about making the arts available and accessible for all.
Suzanne Smart
Community, Learning and Partnerships AssistantI am involved in organising and ensuring the smooth running of a range of projects including Soundworks, Open Orchestra, Young Composers and Tiddly Prom. I also provide general support to the whole team, helping out where required. Occasionally, I even get to throw my skills as a musician into the mix, which is great fun!
Eve Woods
Marketing and Social Media SupportI create the marketing to promote all of our wonderful programmes as well as manage the social media accounts. I love working with organisations who are making a difference to communities and people’s lives. The most important thing to me is to make impactful and creative marketing designs that spread the news of what amazing organisations do!
Arts Active Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees bring a full range of skills to the organisation. The Trustees are committed individuals, all of whom have connections and interests within the creative sector.
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David Baxter
ChairDavid is a freelance arts project manager, producer and consultant. Until recently, David was the General Manager of the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny for Monmouthshire County Council and was previously the Head of Arts Active – the education, community and audience engagement unit at St David’s Hall and the New Theatre, Cardiff for many years.
Lowri Mair Jones (also known as Lowri Hale)
TrusteeLowri Mair Jones is an accomplished arts administrator with over a decade of experience in broadcasting at the BBC, specializing in high-profile music and arts events. Her work has included major productions such as BBC Young Musician, BBC Young Dancer, Cardiff Singer of the World, and Glastonbury, as well as a significant period in BBC Education.
An award-winning composer, Lowri was honoured with the Musician’s Medal at the 2023 National Eisteddfod of Wales and was a finalist for the same prize in 2024. Recently, she has completed several notable commissions, including compositions for the Rhondda Symphony Orchestra, Cor Godre’r Garth and a film score for S4C.
Brian Weir
TrusteeDirector of Academic Administration and Student Experience at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Music graduate Brian Weir has over 20 years’ experience working in arts education. His areas of expertise include widening participation, equality and diversity, safeguarding, specialist learning support and charity governance. A member of the Senior Management Team at RWCMD, he is also a Trustee of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and the Chair of Governors for this local primary school.
Christina Macaulay
TrusteeChristina has been actively involved in arts, music and the culture of Wales for more than 30 years. She is originally from Scotland but moved to Cardiff in the early 1990s to set up an arts series (The Slate) for BBC Wales. Her media career led to her becoming a commissioning editor for BBC Wales television and she specialised in music and arts programmes, as well as being responsible for a broad range of factual documentaries.
As well as sitting on the board of Arts Active, Christina is currently a council member on Arts Council Wales, and a board member of Tŷ Cerdd, the Welsh music organisation. She is a member of BAFTA and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Ruby Llewelyn
TrusteeRuby Llewelyn is a Cardiff University Politics and Journalism student and youth advocate committed to strengthening community voice, creative communication and social impact.
She brings experience across governance, education and the arts — previously a professional child actress working across theatre and film, now serving as a Student Senator, Future Generations Leadership Academy graduate, and long‑standing board member within national youth and cultural organisations including Valleys Kids and the Wales Millennium Centre.
Alongside her studies, Ruby is an experienced youth arts practitioner with a strong track record in youth representation, storytelling and community development; and is looking forward to bringing her cross‑sector experience into her work with the Arts Active Trust!
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