Residents
Gemma started out as a studio holder at Keighley Creative back in 2019, setting up the Orange Room- which has since become our community arts workshop, and home to our Arts for Brain Health Programme.
From local requests, and with the support of Steve Bishop and Jane Fielder, Gemma went on to set up and programme the largest gallery Keighley has ever had, which will be resurrected in our new home for 2025!
Gemma has worked in the community arts and education sector for 15 years- in galleries, schools, colleges and charitable organisations. She is keen to see as many people as possible enjoy the arts through workshops, projects and opportunities to exhibit and talk about their own creative practices.
If you would like to get in touch, email at:
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Cathryn has been in post since 2022 and she is making waves in the town with her positivity and care for Keighley’s communities and local stories. With a passion for music, theatre and making events as inclusive and accessible as possible, she’s making sure there is something for everyone in our events programme.
Cathryn is also the person you’ll chat to when you reach out to us online, and the person to contact if you’d like to volunteer with us.
If you would like to get in touch, email at:
Naseem is an artist and studio holder at Keighley Creative. She creates large scale sculpture and installations from her studio and tours them. Alongside her work as an artist she writes and delivers audience participation projects for education and consultation.
She is excited to see Keighley Creative develop into an arts hub that draws on the town’s heritage and creates a vibrant project space for artists, schools and the wider community… So many possibilities!
If you would like to get in touch, email at:
If you would like to get in touch, email at:
Steve is a studio holder and photographer based at Keighley Creative, and the brains behind everything we build! From the studios, to the gallery, to our most recent moveable drawing boards in the Project Space, Steve has worked out how and made it happen, using recycled materials wherever he can. Having worked for the last 15 years for arts charities like Fabric and East Street Arts, Steve can turn his hand to pretty much anything, and has helped countless artists realise their ideas.
Helena first came to Keighley Creative back in autumn 2022 to help promote the Keighley Arts and Film Festival and she was brought on board to support our new project and replacement for KAFF, Keighley Creative Presents, a series of exciting activities run across the year.
Her role involves promoting our events and services and increasing engagement with the community. Following many years in marketing for retail businesses, Helena has developed a wide network of contacts across the area and helps our charity make links with the business community.
Helena firmly believes in the benefits that arts and culture can bring to a small town like ours: “Although Keighley has seen hard times economically for some years, the town still has a huge amount to offer; whether its the architecture, heritage, scenery, manufacturing skills, food, beer or artistic talent, we need to take a positive approach and tell the world that Keighley is brilliant!”
Emily joined Keighley Creative as part time Financial administrator in Jan 2024. She lives nearby in Menston with her daughters and the family’s crazy black cat, Mojo!
For the past 6 years Emily has worked as the Business Manager for a local charity preschool. Prior to this she ran her own successful children’s cookery business for 10 years.
In her spare time Emily volunteers for a theatre local society in the trustee role of treasurer and she loves reading, walking, listening to music, and ‘feeding’ her passion for health, nutrition and wellbeing through cooking.
If you would like to get in touch, email at:
Carine Brosse is a multi-disciplinary artist and gallery owner who has worked delivering creative workshops to a range of people for many years.
She is a facilitator at our Monday Creative sessions, offering arts and crafts sessions, for people and their families affected by conditions such as Alzheimer’s, and at our Wednesday Creative sessions, which welcome those experiencing loneliness, social isolation or are struggling with their mental health.
Ailsa is a highly experienced art teacher and therapist with a rich knowledge of delivering creative workshops for people living with neurological conditions like dementia and those being negatively affected by their mental health.
She leads the Arts for Brain Health programme at Keighley Creative which involves organising our Monday and Wednesday Creative groups, offering a non-judgemental, calm environment for people who may benefit from creative therapy.
07423 154855
With a rich heritage in the textile industry, an inspiring multi-cultural community and heaps of creativity to boot, we’re proud to call it home.
Great question- and the answer is lots! Keighley is buzzing with fantastic opportunities to get creative, try something new and find out about our local history and heritage.
Just a short walk out of town, Cliffe Castle Museum, with its wonderful collections and grounds is a treat for the whole family! https://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/cliffe-castle-museum
If you know about a creative or cultural gem in Keighley, do let us know so we can shout about it! There is always plenty more to explore.
Georgina has lived in or near Keighley for 30 years, drawn to the local landscape and friendliness of the people. She knows that involvement in art can change people’s lives, and provide fun along the way! Georgina has worked with communities and community organisations all her life, locally, nationally and internationally, to make positive change happen. “I believe we can achieve big things for Keighley.”
Georgina@keighleycreative.org
Born in Shipley, Charles has always lived in Bradford district. He is passionate about music and the arts and he plays guitar in three local bands.
Career wise, as a qualified accountant he laterally worked at Leeds City Council as a Head of Finance and is excited to help develop the amazing potential of Keighley Creative.
Charles@keighleycreative.org
Jan has worked locally, nationally and internationally in community and organisational development and change management and her positive ‘can do’ approach gets things done! She has been a Keighley resident for 28 years and has a strong commitment to the town.
A keen photographer and cook herself Jan is excited about the possibilities arts, creativity and culture can bring to Keighley.
Jan@keighleycreative.org
Fiona is an experienced HR professional who worked for almost 20 years across Bradford and Keighley within the NHS helping to create organisations that harness the many talents of NHS staff. She is passionate about helping individuals and communities thrive and reach their full potential.
As a Trustee of Keighley Creative Fiona is keen to see the arts and culture support the economic development of Keighley and help improve the wellbeing of individuals.
Back in 2019 Riaz championed the first Keighley Arts and Film Festival, regularly supporting events and volunteering his time. Having studied film editing at the National Film and Television School before embarking on his career as a Film Editor Riaz has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to film and production, and he continues to edit both drama and documentary. He has had a recent focus on feature documentaries about musicians including the singers Jonas Kaufmann, Teddy Pendergrass and Janet Baker, and the conductor Bernard Haitink. Riaz’s films have won a number of awards, and Riaz himself is a BAFTA nominee, and winner of a SXSW and Grierson award.
Trevor’s career was spent in the technology sector where he held project and personnel management positions for many years, working with teams from different backgrounds and locations worldwide. He settled in Keighley in 2009 and is proud to live in this beautiful part of West Yorkshire, rich in heritage and cultural diversity.
“I am excited to be part of the Keighley Creative team because I know we can massively enhance our area and strengthen relationships between the different, local communities through the variety of external events, workshops, arts projects and the amazing multi-functional hub!”
trevor@keighleycreative.org
I have worked in arts education for over 30 years developing programmes for young people and adults.
I’m committed to promoting the transformative potential of creative arts both on an individual and societal level.
My recent appointment as Principal of Keighley College gives me the great privilege to work with hundreds of learners and improve their life chances through exposure to fantastic teachers and facilities.
It is because of these drivers that I wanted to be more involved as a trustee of Keighley Creative.
kevin@keighleycreative.org
Michelle was raised in the Keighley area and still lives locally with her family. Although Michelle’s career is centred around the Criminal Justice Sector, a keen interest in the arts and a passion for Keighley motivated her to become a trustee.
In April 2023, Michelle led the Knife Angel Project in Bradford and managed 35 partnerships locally, utilising the arts to reach communities and create cohesion, trust and positive links across Bradford.
Through her work and volunteering roles, Michelle is passionate about creating good quality and inclusive opportunities for people to achieve their potential, particularly for those from under-represented groups or lower socio-economics backgrounds.
Michelle is also keen support the local community to express themselves through arts, create new hobbies and encourage connection with others to help make Keighley a wonderful place to live!
michelle@keighleycreative.org
Rachel works as a Social Venture Co-ordinator for a capacity building charity which means she supports people with ideas for social change choose the right structure to set up and make something happen. Keighley is a hot bed of social enterprise and is working towards being a social enterprise town. She believes the open and inclusive approach to try and work with all areas of the community is something that is worth supporting and that is why became she wanted to become a trustee.
Rachel moved to Keighley 6 years ago to start a family so is also keen to support the development of working with young people.
Rachel@keighleycreative.org
Bob worked as a photographer on the Keighley News for 31 years and is now a freelance photographer and is also editor and writer on his online magazine grough, which covers outdoors activities.
“I joined the trustees because I think Keighley Creative can be a real asset to my home town. Having a vibrant hub for the arts is a great way of reinvigorating our town centre and supporting local creative people from all sectors of the arts is vital to the economic wellbeing of the area.”
Bob@keighleycreative.org
Eid celebrations were a great success at Keighley Market this year. Local artist and experienced facilitator, Emily Parkin, designed and led a fun Eid themed
This April, Keighley Creative and The Unit welcomed some new movie-goers to its teeny Stockroom Cinema. Leeds Film contacted us about using our pop-up cinema
A major charity has appointed a worker to help Keighley people celebrate their heritage through the arts. Lauren Kelly will work with community groups in
As part of an ambitious two-year engagement project, Kala Sangam and partners Keighley Creative, South Square Centre and Bloomin’ Buds Theatre Company have appointed four Arts and Heritage Officers to
Keighley Creative
3-7 Cooke Lane
Keighley
West Yorkshire
BD21 3PF
Keighley Creative, Registered Charity Number 1190497 | Brand And Website By Out Of Place Studio Ltd
