Name Jane Willis
Title Director
How long in present post? Two years
Organisation Willis Newson Arts and Health Consultants
t: 0117 924 7617 e: jane@willisnewson.co.uk
What does your organisation do? A specialist arts in health consultancy, we deliver public art and participatory arts programmes across a range of healthcare settings; and training, research and consultancy to healthcare and arts clients.
What does your job involve?
? Working with NHS Trusts to develop and deliver arts programmes, consulting with staff and service users, commissioning artists, fundraising and promoting projects.
? Delivering training and mentoring to both artists and arts in health professionals.
? Keeping up-to-date on developments in the field and giving talks and presentations.
? Managing a team of four staff and freelance associates and overseeing all company business.
Who did you previously work for? I was the founder and former director of Vital Arts, The arts programme of Barts and The London NHS Trust. As a freelance arts consultant I worked for a range of clients including the Science Museum, The Bull Theatre and The Florence Trust artists studio group.
What do you enjoy most about your present post? Developing projects with artists, convincing healthcare managers to invest in the arts and seeing faces light up at the results.
What do you find most difficult in your present post? Fitting everything into what can often become a ten-hour day and knowing when to say no.
Who has influenced your career to date the most? Bill Harpe, Director of Toxteth community arts project The Blackie, who taught me to aim for the stars and never underestimate people?s creativity.
If you could have done any job, what would it be? No job ? just a studio with windows overlooking the sea!
If you had three wishes for the future of the arts, what would they be?
? For participation in creative activities to become more central in everyday life.
? For the role of the artist to become better understood and more respected.
? For the NHS to recognise that creative expression is essential to health.