Artists & Speakers
Dr Gregory Boardman
Our keynote speaker for this year’s Lancashire Arts Exchange is Dr Gregory Boardman, Co-founder of Three Stones Media and Head of Learning and Participation at the English Chamber Orchestra.
Gregory Boardman has an internationally recognised career in children’s media, with multiple BAFTA nominations and awards from Broadcast, Monte-Carlo Television Festival and Kidscreen, producing for the BBC, SKY, Channel 4, Channel 5 and the BFI. Through Three Stones Media, he leads award-winning music education initiatives, including UNESCO-recognised ‘Lights Camera Score’, and currently directs national research into inclusive digital instruments for education and community settings.
Lauren Zawadzki
Lauren Zawadzki is a founding member of the Blackburn Creative Alliance, a locally-led partnership initiative in Blackburn with Darwen that brings together cultural organisations to support creative careers and cultural activity in the borough. Lauren is also the Festival Director and Co-Founder of the National Festival of Making CIC, Co-Founder of culture company Deco Publique and Chair of the Board of Trustees of music education charity, More Music.
Celine Wyatt
Celine is Head of Creative Learning at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool and Co-Chair of the Blackpool LCEP. She has a BA (Hons) in English and Drama with a Certificate in Education. Celine was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Education Advisory Panel for five years and currently sits on the Edge Hill University Employability Panel. Celine has worked in theatre, cultural and education sectors and has had positions as a Teacher, Arts Officer, Youth Worker, Schools Cultural Development Officer and Creative Learning Director. She is a Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Fellow, a Common Purpose Graduate, a Member of the Cultural Learning Alliance, an Arts Award Adviser and a Resilient Trainer. Celine is the creator of the award-winning Story Led Resilience Programme and is committed to enabling children and young people to build their capacity and resilience through creative experiences and processes.
Andy Walker
Andy Walker is Curriculum Manager at Blackpool School of Arts at Blackpool and The Fylde College, where he leads on curriculum development and delivery across creative disciplines, supporting students to develop practical skills, creative thinking and industry-relevant competencies. He has extensive experience in further education and creative learning, with a strong track record of fostering collaboration between students, artists and cultural organisations to enhance real-world learning opportunities.
Andy also serves as Co-Chair of the Blackpool Local Cultural Education Partnership, working with schools, arts providers and community partners to strengthen cultural education pathways, champion access to creative opportunities for young people, and support the alignment of cultural activity with local education and community goals.
Creative Blackpool
Creative Blackpool is leading on Blackpool’s Cultural Strategy – a bold roadmap to become the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity by 2030. Creative Blackpool Development Group includes Abingdon Studios, Aunty Social, Blackpool Bid and Tourism Bid, Blackpool Council, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Blackpool Grand Theatre, Grundy Art Gallery, LeftCoast, House of Wingz, Showtown, Tramshed Theatre Company, The Old Electric and the Winter Gardens. This collaborative approach will attract long-term investment in Blackpool’s cultural development, be central to wider place-making agendas and position the town as a compelling place to live, work and visit. Blackpool’s vibrant communities and rich cultural heritage are at the heart of a culture that shines brightly towards a sustainable future, attracting diverse visitors and creatives and producing world-class art.
Blackpool LCEP
Established in 2012, Blackpool LCEP (Local Cultural Education Partnership) is a voluntary partnership guided by a small steering group and supported by a youth LCEP known as Creative Fusion.
The partnership works to strengthen communication across the cultural and education sectors in Blackpool, empowering young cultural leaders to build skills, work with influence, and advocate for the value of their voice in decisions that affect them. It is committed to widening access to cultural and creative opportunities for children and young people through its Cultural Passport initiative. Blackpool LCEP also promotes cross-sector understanding and shared learning through its ‘Teachers & Artists Together’ professional development approach, connecting and maximising opportunities across the town.
Creative Fusion
Creative Fusion is a youth-focused, youth-led arts group that champions the voices, ideas, and creativity of young people. The group recognises that young people are not only the future of the arts, but active creators shaping the world right now. Through collaborative and inclusive creative practice, Creative Fusion supports young people to explore their passions, identities, and experiences, transforming them into meaningful artistic expression.
Rooted in a strong social action and call-to-action ethos, its work uses creativity as a tool for change, challenge, and empowerment. Creative Fusion creates space for young people to lead, be heard, and drive conversations that matter to them. Its slogan, “See us, hear us, create with us,” reflects its commitment to collaboration, visibility, and youth-led creative change.
Tim Rogers MA MBA
Tim Rogers is the Head of Lancashire Music Service. Tim started playing the clarinet and euphonium at primary school. Whilst at high school he was principal euphonium player for the Lancashire Youth Brass Band. At 16 he continued his musical studies, attending Salford College of Technology a gaining performance diploma. After college he joined the army, taking up the position of principle euphonium in the Royal Artillery Band, Woolwich.
Over the past 30 years he has worked for Lancashire County Council within the Music Service. During this time he also completed Master degrees in Psychology in Music Education and Business Administration. For the past 15 years Tim has been Head of the multi award winning Lancashire Music Service and successfully developed Lancashire Music Hub (LMH) into a nationally recognised outstanding Music Hub.
Over the past 15 years Tim has presented at numerous conferences, been a consultant for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Arts Council England, a panel member for Arts Mark, Northwest Representative of the UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark and is presently a member of the Arts Council England, National Advisory Board for Music Education.
Lancashire Music Service – Hub Lead Organisation for Lancashire Music Hub
Lancashire Music Hub (LMH) brings together a diverse range of organisations to develop musical opportunities for young people and contribute to the aims of the National Plan for Music Education. For many young people these experiences will be a vital and enriching part of their lives, helping them to progress their talents, enhance learning whilst supporting their health and wellbeing. LMH strive to make it easy for, young people, teachers, musicians, schools, and the wider community to collaborate and find great ways to make music.
LMH work with a wide range of cultural organisations, at local, regional, and national levels. By bringing together cultural organisations for discussion, forums and joint ventures, young people and communities benefit from a range of creative projects, which are responsive to local needs. These projects have helped many young people celebrate their achievements, understand the benefits of participating in the arts, whilst raising the profile of arts and culture within the community.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England’s Cultural Education Network supports collaboration and shared learning across the country to strengthen cultural education for children and young people.
The Network brings together Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEPs), Music Hubs, Bridge organisations and wider sector partners to align strategy, share best practice and champion inclusive access to arts and culture. It provides a platform for dialogue between education and the cultural sector, helping to ensure that national policy, local delivery and investment priorities are joined up and responsive to need.
Through convening, advocacy and knowledge exchange, the Cultural Education Network plays a vital role in building a more equitable and sustainable cultural education landscape across England.