About Stella
Participatory arts consultant, facilitator, and advocate for cultural democracy
My Story
I have dedicated much of my career to applying arts and creativity to social justice contexts.
I have a special interest in arts and migration and I have a long association with Counterpoints Arts; in 2011 I helped establish Platforma, a national network for refugee-related arts and have continued to collaborate with them ever since. I deliver national training in participatory arts with young migrants and have designed several training programmes that have supported exiled artists to re-establish their careers in the UK.
I believe that culture is ordinary – made in the everyday processes of living, in communities, workplaces, and families. My role as a practitioner is not to bring culture to communities, but to recognise, value, and support the culture that already exists.
Good facilitation is often invisible. When a session flows naturally, when participants feel ownership of the process – these are signs that the facilitation is working.
Areas of Expertise
Participatory Arts
Co-creating artistic programmes that actively engage participants in drama, creative writing, video, photography and music, where people tell their own stories in their own words.
Artistic & Cultural Inclusion
Campaigning for artistic and cultural inclusion of migrants and celebrating the cultural richness they bring.
Ethics & Practice
Interrogating ethical practice with cultural organisations, university students and the participatory arts sector.
Community Engagement
Building partnerships across different sectors to positively influence cultural and social inclusion.
Well-being & Co-creation
Facilitating collaborative, creative processes that promote physical and mental well-being, foster belonging and community connections.
Values & Approach
Co-creation Over Delivery
I work alongside communities, not for them. Participants shape projects from the beginning – designing themes, making creative decisions, and taking ownership of the work.
Process Over Product
While beautiful outcomes matter, the journey matters more. Exploration, relationship-building, and personal transformation are the true measures of success.
Ethical Practice
Working with vulnerable communities requires constant reflection on power, consent, and impact. I advocate for trauma-informed approaches and genuine power-sharing.
Cultural Democracy
Not just access to existing culture, but the power to shape what culture is and becomes. Genuine redistribution of cultural power remains my horizon.
Work With Me
Available for consultancy, training, facilitation, and project development.
Get in Touch