Meet The Team

These are the Arts in Libraries people who create and deliver the hundreds of events we deliver each year. 

Cath Shea
Arts Development Manager

Cath is the Arts Development Manager at St Helens Borough Council. She supported St Helens Library Service to establish itself as an NPO and continues to lead its development. She works with partners across the borough and the wider region to develop and expand the arts in St Helens - most recently, in 2023, to deliver St Helens Borough of Culture. Cath believes in the power of creativity to improve the lives of individuals, communities and the wider society, and is passionate about developing more opportunities for people to flourish through arts and creativity in St Helens borough.

Andrew Cave
Senior Arts In Libraries Officer

Andy is the Senior Arts in Libraries Officer. He has a long and extensive career in delivering both community investment and business development projects, and is back working in the arts in St Helens borough after a 30 year gap. He manages the Arts in Libraries Team, works behind the scenes on ensuring the team has all the right tools to deliver the programmes, and also loves helping out on the team's events. In his spare time Andy enjoys getting to gigs and galleries with his teenage children.

James Valentine-Burrows
Arts In Libraries Officer

Jim joined the Arts in Libraries team in November 2020, having previously lectured in Performance & Digital Arts at De Montfort University, Leicester and completing a PhD in Trans-disciplinarity at Edge Hill University. 

Jim's role focuses on programming and facilitating the Visiting & Touring Programme of live performance, visual & mixed-media arts. He is responsible for the development of partnerships with Arts and Culture organisations across the UK. Jim also oversees the Artists Together and Performers Together elements of the programme, both of which aim to nurture and develop the artistic practices of St Helens borough residents.  He also manages The Cut Glass Writers group. 

Outside Arts in Libraries, Jim is a freelance creative producer, LGBTQ+ advocate, & Drag Artist.

Rebecca Ainsworth
Creative Lives Officer

Rebecca supports and delivers our Creative Lives strand, working with voluntary arts and the community. 

She has worked in the arts since 2016; her passion is making the space for people to share their creative skills and ideas. She has worked with 3 National Portfolio Organisations and has been with St Helens Arts in Libraries since 2023. She is also an audio/visual artist and is particularly interested in collaborative working.

Kevin Dyer
Creative Writing Workshop Lead

Kevin runs writing sessions for students of all ages in schools, and for adult groups in our libraries - as well as hosting and supporting many of the other projects put on by Arts in Libraries. In his writing sessions he most interested in developing people's creativity, and encouraging them to have big ideas rather than fuss about commas and full stops. He is the artistic lead on the StoryBook Project.

He is also a freelance theatre director, writer and dramaturg.

Alison Patterson
Arts In Libraries Support Officer

Alison is the logistics centre of all Arts in Libraries' work. She is the expert on marketing, audience development, and arts administration. If you contact the team, she will receive your email and either get back to you, or pass it on to the most useful person.

Alison's background is in the creative sector, specifically in Fine Art and Sculpture Sales. Photography and printmaking are particular interests, and she is passionate about promoting arts within community spaces. She is the co-founder of Cheshire Print Fair, and is currently doing an MA in Art Management, Policy, and Practice at The University of Manchester. 

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

The Advisory Board oversees and supports the Arts in Libraries Team. It helps shape our Mission and Vision. It assists the team to fuse its ambitions with those of St Helens Borough Council, the seven libraries, and Arts Council England.

Grace Collins - Joint Chair

Grace is an artist, writer and facilitator who works with other people to make things together. They have delivered workshops, tours and talks in art galleries and museums across the country since 2015. Grace supports emerging artists in the north west as Co-ordinator of Short Supply and also delivers peer support training with With-you. They are interested in increasing access to creativity to improve social health.  

Tom Glynn - Joint Chair

Tom joined the Advisory Board in 2020 and has been involved in the voluntary arts sector in St Helens for over 17 years, developing Hip Hop art forms at a local and national level. Tom has worked professionally in the wider community and voluntary sector in various roles including Youth Worker, Volunteer Manager, Community Centre Manager and as a fundraiser.

Emmer Winder

Emmer has had a creative business since 2004, offering documentary photography and conceptual workshop delivery. She joined the board in 2021 to share her experience in teaching and education and as a practicing artist from St Helens. Emmer is also part of the Scart (St Helens Collaborative Arts) group which endeavours to connect all secondary art departments in the borough. 
 

Gili Armson

Gili is an experienced psychotherapist, currently working in St Helens. She is particularly interested in increasing participation in the arts for people disadvantaged by their mental and physical challenges. Gili is also a qualified teacher and tutor, practising artist. 

Paula Williams

Paula has over 20 years' experience of strategic working in Arts and Culture. She is currently playing a key role in the development and delivery of Shakespeare North. Until recently Paula was also the lead for Libraries in Knowsley Borough Council, and worked on the Cultural Offer for the Liverpool City region whilst seconded to the Mayoral Team, helping to develop the Liverpool City Region Cultural Strategy. She has been the lead for the Cultural Conversation for the region for the last 4 years.  

Additional Board Membership 

Five St Helens Borough Council representatives hold ex-officio seats on the Board: 

Janet Cross, Finance Business Partner

David Boocock, Head of Culture

Tanya Wilcock, Director of Communities

Councillor Kate Groucott, Cabinet Member - Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage 

William Renshaw - Team Manager Cultural Services