Catherine Davis Cultural Consultant

Since April 2011, I have been a freelance cultural consultant working with a range of clients drawn from arts organisations, artists, third sector organisations, higher education and local authorities. Contracts have included research, report writing, project development, fund raising and long term organisational planning and development.

In March I completed the final one (of three) research audits and reports covering museums, libraries and heritage for Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bridge. The results of the museums audit were presented, in partnership with Judith Carruthers (who researched museums in the Royal Opera House Bridge area), to a SHARE Museums East/ Bridge event at Hughes Hall, Cambridge. Alongside my previous work for the Royal Opera House and Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bridges, this research completed a fascinating insight and overview of the opportunities and challenges cultural providers face in their work with children, young people and families in the East of England.

I am currently working with the Heart of Flame Festival in Hertfordshire to support its long term development and fundraising and I have just completed the 2013 Festival evaluation.

From 2000 until March 2011, I was Hertfordshire County Council’s County Arts Development Officer and was the strategic lead for developing the arts in Hertfordshire. I worked in partnership across arts, museums, archives, higher education, libraries and tourism and led notable projects, such as the nationally recognised Green Heart Partnership and the establishment of the World Arts Platform.

I am a Fellow and Trustee of Arts Development UK http://artsdevelopmentuk.org and a Director of Excellence in Local Government and Health (ELGH). I am a Trustee of Trestle Theatre Company http://www.trestle.org.uk. I am enjoying this new relationship which follows on my long association with Trestle as county arts officer. I recently became one of seven Matrix Associates with Culture First http://www.culture-first.com/