Creative Ambassadors

Making a Difference with Creative Ambassadors

We believe in the importance of raising aspirations and broadening the horizons of Cumbria’s future workforce. The programme brings together professionals from many backgrounds and young people in schools. Creative Ambassadors include architects, engineers, chefs, TV presenters, journalists, scientists, artists, designers and digital specialists. We are looking for professionals who want to make a difference. If you believe in the importance of being creative and are innovative, have the ability to solve problems, are resourceful and imaginative in your work – we would like to hear from you.

We also want to hear from schools who would like a Creative Ambassador to visit.

What do Creative Ambassadors do?

Creative Ambassadors are volunteers who visit schools to talk to and work with children and young people about the value of creativity. They inspire, broaden horizons and raise the aspirations of Cumbria’s future workforce by providing an insight into the real world and how essential it is to be creative. It is a bespoke approach, depending on the needs of the school and the skills of the Creative Ambassador. This could mean giving a short workshop, delivering a presentation or getting involved with an activity in school. The time commitment is usually five days a year – or two short day briefing sessions, followed by around 3 days in the first year. You will be supported at all times – and we can guarantee it will be rewarding and FUN!

Do you have what it takes to be a Creative Ambassador?

Do you want to make a difference? We are looking for creative people who are passionate about their work to join us.

register here
For an informal chat please contact Viv West on 01768 893810 or email viv@creativefuturescumbria.org

How do I get started?

We have training sessions in Kendal on 5th (12pm to 5pm) and 12th July (10am – 4pm). The first day is an opportunity to explore communication and presentation skills with different age groups, the second is in schools to start working with children and young people. Please contact Viv West on 01768 893810 or email viv@creativefuturescumbria.org if you are interested in attending and joining the programme.

I would like a Creative Ambassador to visit my school….what do I do?

Contact Viv West to discuss your needs on 01768 893810 or email viv@creativefuturescumbria.org
 

Who are the Creative Ambassadors?
 

- Rosie Alcock , Visual Artist and Teacher
- Andrew Branthwaite, Engineer
- Andrew Burton, Chef
- Caroline Dalton, Visual Artist/Sculptor
- Judith Derbyshire, Community Volunteer/Trust Manager
- Louise Duffy, Training and Accountancy Consultant
- Barrie Garton, Chef
- Rachel Gaw, Jewellery Designer/Maker
- George Grange, Visual Artist/Exhibition Curator
- Nick Greenall, Film maker
- Dan Harding, Restaurateur
- Paul Harkness, Engineer/Manager
- Jackie Harris, PR/Marketing Consultant/Writer
- Kirk Harrison, Engineer
- Ruth Houston, Visual artist
- Kim Inglis, Journalist/Broadcaster
- Caryl Ireland, Community Journalist
- Laura Jackson, Architect
- Heather Larcombe, Broadcaster
- Karen MacDougall, Designer and Architect
- John Nixon, Engineer
- Hayley Porthouse, Architect
- Jane Rose, Mosaic Artist
- Irene Sanderson, Visual Artist
- Steve Scott, Graphic Designer
- Lynette Shaw-McKone, Writer/Storyteller
- Dan Short, Muralist
- Jude Stoll, Glass Artist
- Karen Storr, Visual artist, film maker, photographer
- Jenny Stuart, Architect
- Geoff Thould, Digital Print Specialist
- Andrew Turney, Environmental Scientist
 

Eight more based in South Lakeland will join the team in July, to include:
 

- an architect
- an interior designer
- a digital artist
- visual artists and arts teachers
- a graphic designer/branding consultant
- a writer

What are Creative Ambassadors doing in schools?

Engineer Paul Harkness is working with 11 year olds at North Lakes School, Penrith, to design and make a model Ferris wheel. This has linked in with a combination of cross curricular themes, including design of structures, culture – and music!
Laura Jackson (Architect) and Andrew Branthwaite (Engineer) from West Lakes Engineering were asked to visit St Patrick’s Catholic School, Cleator Moor, linking with a cross curricular topic of sport and the Olympics. They devised a session which involved designing a stadium and then constructing it out of marshmallows and spaghetti.
Steve Scott, Creative Director of Lavahouse Associates in Kendal has led workshops at Queen Katherine School, Kendal, to design fresh merchandise for the school, focusing on research, design theory and branding. A small group of students will be invited by Steve to visit his studio and see how a design consultancy operates.
Ambassadors Nick Greenall and George Grange led a session with Creative and Media Diploma students at Kendal College. It involved film, basic art materials and a lot of frantic creativity, but most importantly it demonstrated how simple concepts can be conveyed using a combination of media.
There is much activity planned for the rest of the term, including sessions at St Begh’s Junior School, Whitehaven, Windermere Juniors, Whitehaven School, Heron Hill (Kendal) and Queen Katherine School.