About Staff

Deborah Kermode - Director

My role at Bright Space is to lead on the vision and strategic development of the company. We're all very ambitious to drive Bright Space forward. This means much of my responsibility is to identify new business opportunities and like minded partners, to ensure we deliver a meaningful programme.

I originally come from a museums backgournd and have spent most of my career as a contemporary art curator, striving to connect people with cultural activity and promoting the mantra that 'art is for everyone'. This includes my role as curator at IKON Gallery where I established the internationally acclaimed Off-Site programme.

I have previously worked as a Producer for Fierce! Festival as well as continuing this practice of participatory work with Birmingham Opera Company, RSC and Capsule, bringing programmes as diverse as opera, live art and heavy metal music to younger audiences.

I am an external examiner for the MA in Contemporary Curatorial Practice at Birmngham City University. I am also on the board of Pentabus Theatre Company, Fierce Festival and a governor at Dame Ellen Pinsent Special School.

You can contact me at: deborah@brightspace.org.uk

Amy Martin - Creative Programmer

My job title is, Creative Programmer, Youth and Pupil Referral Units. I work alongside Alex to manage and support our team of 29 Creative Agents and to recruit and manage the 110 schools that we work with in Birmingham, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

I also run the Bright Space Youth Panel (BSYP), which is made up of 14 young people from 5 schools from around Birmingham. This year the BSYP are devising a Creative Careers Creative Pathways research and development project and event.

Another part of my work is to facilitate practitioner development and the Bright Space Creative Encounters series – which is about Meeting, Connecting, Sharing and Networking.

Before working at Bright Space I had a varied career working within the creative and cultural sector and had the opportunity to work in fashion, physical theatre, contemporary dance, further education, music promotion, TIE, social media, and audience development.

I am interested in looking at ways to engage young people’s learning and creativity through social media and ICT, supporting the development and diversification of a creative workforce and working with young people to engage and experience the creative and cultural industries.

You can contact me at: amy@brightspace.org.uk

Anne Watson - Finance Officer

As Finance Officer I am responsible for the day to day accounting functions at Bright Space. This includes invoicing, payments and budgeting. I have a wealth of experience in finance related positions within cultural organisations and enjoy the interaction with artists and schools within my current role. Prior to working at Bright Space I worked at the Midlands Art Centre (MAC)

Working for a cultural organisation and seeing the impact our work has on young people and teachers is inspiring – it makes my role all the more interesting.

You can contact me at: anne@brightspace.org.uk

Alex McCorkindale - Creative Programmer

I am the Creative Programmer responsible for programme development in family, early years, primary and special schools. I co-ordinate the networking, training and programme management of a team of Creative Agents who in turn manage the Enquiry and Change School programme on the ground.

At the moment I am creating a panel of young families from different areas in Birmingham to explore their cultural entitlement and the use of creativity in their children’s education.

Previous to working at Bright Space I worked mainly in production for children’s theatre and more specifically produced and managed national tours for the in-house production team at the mac (Midlands Arts Centre). My favourite tour involved elves, shoes and disco!

Other key organisations that I worked for include: Dramatic Solutions, Purple Monster Training and Ragdoll Productions.

I am currently a governor for Longwill School for The Deaf – a very happy and creative place to be in Northfield.

You can contact me at: alex@brightspace.org.uk

Anne-Marie Vassiliadis - Programme Coordinator

As the Programme Coordinator I am responsible for coordinating training and CPD sessions; maintaining partnerships; liaising with Creative Agents, local authorities, schools and creative practitioners; and supporting the Programming team in the recruitment, contracting and development of 110 schools and educational settings, across rural and urban areas in Birmingham, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

I recently became a Governor at Regent’s Park Community Primary School, which is something very new and exciting for me.

I am an active performer, having been involved with the Birmingham Opera Company’s recent production of Othello, and various other community theatre productions.

Prior to moving to the UK, I worked in the cultural and educational sectors in various countries. I was the Cultural Affairs Coordinator at the University of Toronto (Canada) and was an English Language Teacher for AEON West Corporation (Japan).

You can contact me at: anne-marie@brightspace.org.uk

Marcia Springer - Communications Officer

Within my role as Communications Officer, I aim to ensure Bright Space activities are positively received and marketed in the press and media. This involves working closely with journalists, our funders and supporters as well as our extended freelance team of Creative Agents. My role also extends to supporting our schools and their activities and the Bright Space website.

My formative years were spent attending after school drama classes in London, which I really enjoyed. The skills I learnt at those classes, such as confidence, listening and sharing continue to shape me as an individual.

The arts have a power to transcend race, class and education, so much so that I am keen for other young people to share that experience through the Creative Partnerships programme and similar arts programmes.

I am a Parent Governor at Cottesbrooke Infant School (Birmingham) and informally work with young people who want to forge a career in the arts. I am also a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

You can contact me at: marcia@brightspace.org.uk

Sadie Newman - Operations Manager

As the Operations Manager at Bright Space, I take responsibility for managing the Bright Space office, including administrative and financial systems, contracting artists, creative agents and organisations, and overseeing HR, Health and Safety and IT. Ultimately I work across the Bright Space team, maintaining working relationships internally and externally and provide information and advice to enable the smooth running of the office.

I am a born organiser and list mad, with a history of working in the cultural sector from administrator to PA to project manager. Key organisations I have worked for include, Birmingham Arts Marketing (now Audiences Central), The Public, Fierce! Festival and on deciBel performing Arts Showcase 2007.

You can contact me at: sadie@brightspace.org.uk