WHO WE ARE
A charity dedicated to empowering communities, amplifying voices, and transforming lives through culture.
OUR MISSION
CULTURE AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Our Theories of Change
Reducing Loneliness and Isolation
Through flagship initiatives such as St Osyth Summer Sounds and King’s Cross Summer Sounds, we create vibrant, inclusive spaces where people can gather, connect, and participate in cultural activities. Each year, our events engage over 30,000 audience members across 14 festivals, with significant participation from local residents and community groups. We strategically focus on areas where social isolation is prevalent, such as rural communities in Tendring, or low socioeconomic communities in Thamesmead, tailoring our events to promote social interaction and developing friendships. Audience feedback demonstrates the value of these interventions, in 2024, 94% of attendees reported feeling more connected to their community, and 87% said attending our events improved their wellbeing.
Increasing Communities's Sense of Belonging
Our approach to programming is deeply community-centric. We collaborate with residents’ associations and community panels to co-design events that reflect the specific needs and aspirations of local people. In 2024/25, Summer in the Park included 24 community-led performances and 29 participatory workshops, directly involving 136 local community members. Feedback highlighted a strong sense of ownership and pride: “It’s just what we needed in this area - somewhere the kids can come and have fun. Fun for all the family and dog” (Participant, 2025)
Increasing Health and Emotional Wellbeing
The arts have a profound impact on mental health and wellbeing, and our programmes are designed to promote both physical and emotional health. Performances such as Fire Songs for audiences with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) offered immersive, sensory experiences that enhanced emotional wellbeing. By collaborating with specialist organisations like Frozen Light, we ensure that programming is inclusive and accessible, supporting a broad spectrum of health outcomes. As one parent reflected: “We won’t ever forget today’s show… it was one of the most moving, magical and uplifting experiences we’ve had since my daughter was born.” (Participant, 2024)
Supporting Individuals' Careers
Our commitment to supporting creative careers is evident in the employment and training opportunities we provide. In 2023, we employed 224 individuals, 62% from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, reflecting our dedication to diversity and inclusion in the creative industries. Across our programmes, 307 freelancers were employed, including 245 young people under 30, all paid above London Living Wage. We work closely with emerging artists and young people, offering performance platforms at events such as King’s Cross Summer Sounds.
Founded in 2012, Arts Trust is a registered charity built on the belief that exceptional culture belongs to everyone. We bring artists and communities together to create ambitious work, open up opportunities and strengthen connections between people. Our mission is to reduce loneliness and isolation through culture, particularly in rural communities and among people too often excluded from cultural life.
Working across Essex & London, our work connects local creativity with national and international artistic practice. Across music, dance, performance and film, we commission, produce and present work that invites curiosity, reflects different experiences and brings people together. We create opportunities for internationally recognised artists, emerging talent and community participants to share ideas, develop their practice and make something extraordinary.
Our approach starts with listening. We work alongside residents, artists and local organisations to understand what matters to a place and the people who live there. Communities help shape the cultural life of their neighbourhoods, influencing decisions, contributing their knowledge and developing their own creative ambitions.
Through sustained relationships, we build trust and support people to take an active role as audiences, participants, creators and decision-makers. Free cultural experiences are central to our purpose. We transform familiar places into welcoming spaces where people can encounter something unexpected, spend time together and feel that they belong.
By addressing financial, physical and social barriers, we make it easier for people from different backgrounds and generations to share experiences and build relationships. We also nurture the people who make culture possible.
Through paid opportunities, skills development and creative partnerships, we support artists, producers and young people to develop their confidence, experience and careers. Our ambition extends beyond any individual event or production. We work towards a lasting cultural presence in the places we serve: stronger local networks, more opportunities to create and participate, and communities where culture is a valued part of everyday life.
Our Impact In 2026
SECTION 02
OUR TEAM
The people behind the productions.
Dr Martin Collins
Founder and CEO
Martin, is an award-winning producer, has a flourishing career in music and dance, producing over 30 touring productions and holding Executive Director roles for Russell Maliphant Dance Company, Boy Blue Entertainment, and Darren Ellis Dance. He previously managed the Centre for Advanced Training at Trinity Laban. As a producer, he has worked on feature films for the BBC and Sky Arts, including projects with Boy Blue, Danny Boyle and BalletBoyz. He is currently a Trustee for Kings Place Music Foundation.
David Salter
Production Manager
David, is a Technical Production Manager specialising in site-specific projects, festivals, touring, and dance. Based in London, he has worked internationally with companies like Akram Khan, Cheek by Jowl, Punch Drunk, and Jasmin Vardimon. He collaborates annually with Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, and Tete a Tete Festival. David advises on theatre creation and conversions, consulting for The Theatres' Trust and the Nursery Theatre, and managed Arcola Theatre’s relocation.x.
Bella Scarr
Traders Manager
Bella, is responsible for curating, producing and delivering the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival each year. She also founded The Food Producers Club, a community group for businesses in the F&B industry, and is owner/director of Relish Projects, a specialist project management company. PRINCE2 Practitioner qualified. Strong operations professional with a BA (Hons), 2:1 from University of Leeds.
Tom McGarva
Public Relations (Sundae Communications)
Tom, is a Senior Account Director at Sundae Communications, specialising in publicity across culture and entertainment, including TV, film, festivals, theatre, and more. With over nine years at Sundae, he champions creative projects nationally and internationally while emphasising the North West's cultural scene. Tom also serves as Press and Publicity Manager for Shangri-La Glastonbury and Lost Horizon HQ, where he drives impactful campaigns blending activism, art, and digital innovation. His prior experience includes marketing roles at Living Ventures Restaurants and Black Dog Ballroom. Known for strategic communications, Tom excels in creating unique narratives and fostering community engagement in cultural spaces.
Creative Tendring
Kayleigh Boyle
Programme Director
Kayleigh is a cultural leader and programme manager with extensive experience delivering inclusive, high impact arts, heritage and community initiatives. She has led major cultural programmes for local authorities, including Calderdale’s Year of Culture, where she drove strategy, fundraising, partnerships and resident engagement. Across her career, she has secured significant investment, built cross sector collaborations, developed accessible and sustainable programmes, and managed multidisciplinary teams.
Rosie Georgiou
Creative Communities Manager
Rosie Georgiou is a writer and creative producer with a passion for connecting people and communities through creativity and culture. She has designed and led multiple creative workshops and community arts projects in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations including the Tendring Youth Voice film and Clacton’s first Christmas Art Trail. Rosie has spoken about creative practice on podcasts and at a range of conferences including the international Great Writing Conference at University College London. Alongside her creative practice, she is a doctoral researcher in Creative Writing at De Montfort University.
Catherine Herbert
Creative Communities Manager
Catherine is a community artist and educator with experience leading creative workshops and projects in the South East and London. She specialises in public engagement which connects people with their local area and heritage and has exhibited in several national galleries. Previously she has worked as Head of Technology and Director of eco-arts cooperative Cobnuts and Lectured in Fine Art at Chelmsford and Suffolk New College. Catherine is the recipient of Arts Council England’s Developing Your Creative Practice funding through which she is developing GIS mapping into a community led practice and is an ESRI certified GIS practitioner.
The Board
Prof Angela Pickard
Trustee (Chair)
Angela, is the Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care. Angela is a dancer, choreographer, practitioner and academic. She became the first Professor of Dance Education in 2021. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in arts research, particularly dance and movement practices, and a passion for exploring the value and relationship between arts and physical, psychological, social and artistic outcomes.
Harry MacAuslan
Trustee
Harry, has worked at J Walter Thompson and Leo Burnett (Vice Chairman). He is now part of the founding team of a start-up Bank, and also Chairman of a boutique communications agency, an advisor to an investment company, a Trustee of The Mental Health Foundation, a Trustee of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, former Chairman of the Russell Maliphant Dance Company and an advisor to the College of the New Humanities. Harry has been elected a Fellow of The Royal Society of the Arts.
Hamble Wallace
Trustee
Hamble, is an accomplished arts fundraiser with extensive experience in major UK cultural institutions. As Director of Development at Sadler’s Wells, she leads strategic fundraising efforts to support artistic programming and growth. Hambel has held pivotal roles at Battersea Arts Centre, Dance Umbrella, and the National Theatre, where she oversaw the £80m NT Future campaign. Her expertise extends to consulting, working with organisations like Theatres Trust. A skilled strategist and relationship builder, she excels in revenue generation and championing arts accessibility and inclusivity.
SECTION 03
OUR PARTNERS
The organisations who make our work possible.
Community Voluntary Services Tendring
Black Caucus Studios
King's Cross
St Osyth Priory
Tendring District Council
Clacton Arts Centre