Rosy Greenlees began her career as a visual arts curator before moving into cultural policy roles

Photo: Festival of Making

Changing Faces

Craft and design expert to head up Festival of Making

Arts Professional
2 min read

A festival that celebrates British craft production “from the kitchen table to the factory floor” has named ROSY GREENLEES OBE as chair.

Greenlees, who led national agency the Crafts Council as executive director for some 16 years, is to head up the board of trustees at Festival of Making CIC.

The non-profit organisation runs the annual National Festival of Making, which this year took place in Blackburn, Lancashire, in July.

Alongside Greenlees, RACHEL CUNNINGHAM CLARK is to join the board. Clark is currently a creative producer at the contemporary art showcase, Frieze.

The pair will work alongside existing trustees including artist JAMIE HOLMAN, who is outgoing chair but will remain a non-executive member, and festival co-director WAYNE HEMINGWAY OBE.

Greenlees said: “I am honoured to take on the role of chair at Festival of Making CIC. This organisation sits at the heart of a movement I deeply believe in, where craft, making, material knowledge, and communities intersect.

“I look forward to working with the board, staff, makers, partners, and audiences to realise bold ambitions: deepening our reach, amplifying maker voices, and ensuring that making remains a vital and visible part of cultural life.”

LAUREN ZAWADZKI, director of Festival of Making CIC, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Rosy and Rachel at this moment in our organisation’s journey.

“Rosy’s leadership in the craft and cultural sectors brings both gravitas and insight, and we have long admired her work, and Rachel’s creative and producer experience will help us develop new directions with both artists and audiences.

“Equally, we are beyond grateful to Jamie Holman for his extraordinary dedication and advocacy through the years as we reach this point. As we transition to working with a new chair, we’re more confident than ever in our capacity to serve artists, makers, communities, and audiences.”