About Us
Conwy Arts Trust operates within the County Borough of Conwy with the aim to promote, maintain and advance the education and appreciation of the public in the arts by encouraging and fostering cultural activities, including educational workshops and outreach projects. The Trust was founded in 2013 and has been involved with a broad range of arts projects since that time.
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We support and run a wide range of events including the flagship project Creu / Create, for young people experiencing mental health difficulties and Young Creatives, giving children and young people the opportunity to try a wide range of artistic practices, from spoken word to graffiti art and Vertical Dance.
The Trust also works closely with partner organisations supporting arts events across the county from take pART at Venue Cymru which attracts 10,000 people over one amazing weekend to events with RSPB Conwy using the arts to promote knowledge about nature.
Rhys Meirion, Patron
Welsh tenor Rhys Meirion has enjoyed international success in opera and recording and national success in broadcasting.
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The Board
Chair - Dilwyn Price
Retired teacher, headteacher and education officer now enjoying retirement with our grandchildren. I have always enjoyed performing arts and encouraged my family and school pupils to grasp opportunities and become actively involved. I am conductor of Cor Alaw, a mixed choir, organist at our local chapel and continue to be a great supporter of Urdd Gobaith Cymru. ​
Treasurer - Don Milne
Since my retirement as a University Head of Computing, I have been a Conwy County Councillor. The early part of my career brought me to North wales where I lectured at Llandrillo College. I became involved with a number of local dramatic societies both in the production and performance side. This experience has shown me the benefits that the arts can bring to young people and society in general. Through CAT I am proud to be involved in encouraging the promotion of the arts within Conwy.
Joann Rae
Joann has worked in the creative arts for 20 years and prior to that was a journalist.
She is passionate about theatre and film and has, for many years, worked with young writers as facilitator of the Young Creatives' Young Critics group.
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Helen Goddard
​Helen has 20 years’ experience leading cultural projects across the public and third sectors. A qualified archaeologist and Museum Professional, Helen was recently seconded to Amgueddfa Cymru from her role as Head of Culture, Libraries and information at Conwy County Borough Council where she project managed the £4m Conwy Culture Centre project and led on the development and implementation of the County-wide Conwy Culture Strategy as well as leading on culture and wellbeing projects across the organisation.
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Vice-Chair - Michael Tree
Michael is a Solicitor and Director of Swayne Johnson Limited. He grew up in Colwyn Bay.
His interests include literature, music and local history.
Fundraising - Sarah Ecob
Sarah has over 30 years of working in the creative arts and is currently the Head of Economy and Culture for Conwy County Borough Council. Sarah is Chair of the National Venue Manager’s Network and a former Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Prior to moving to North Wales she worked at the National Theatre and the Hackney Empire. ​
Secretary - Lorraine Whalley
After a career in hospitality, Lorraine has spent the last 10 years supporting Council administration & engaging in Community projects as Deputy Clerk to a local Town Council. In 2021 Lorraine joined Venue Cymru as an Admin Officer (Business Support).
Kristen Gallagher
Kristen has worked in fundraising across education and the arts for 20 years and is currently Director of Development at the Rose Theatre Kingston. Prior to this she worked at the University of Exeter and Bangor University. ​
Gareth Leech
Gareth works for Cartrefi Conwy in a role that focuses on strategic projects. He grew up and still lives in Llandudno Junction, with his young family. He got involved with Conwy Arts Trust to help further the group's work and make a positive impact for local communities.
Artists.
We support projects that offer local artists work, helping them to remain in the area. We also run and fund projects that bring artists in from far and wide, broadening the scope and impact of the arts in our communities.
Testimonials.
Dr Helen Fitzpatrick
(Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist)
'The Create Project has provided a really brilliant and unique kind of opportunity for a number of the young people that are known to CAMHS in Conwy. I believe that the project has contributed significantly to their recovery and maintenance of their emotional wellbeing.'
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A Young Critic
'To say that the Young Critics scheme has been a helping hand in my career would be an understatement'.
Kjartan Poskitt
Author
'Over the last 20 years I’ve been lucky enough to do my maths/author talks in festivals all over the UK including Hay, Edinburgh, Bath, Cardiff, Borders, Cheltenham and over in Dublin. They’re all good, but none were better than yours!'
"I’ve done something today I thought I’d never do – I made a friend"
Creu / Create participant