Our speaker in May was Tracey McNulty, Head of Cultural Services at Swansea County Council, with the remit for tourism, events, galleries, museums, libraries and theatres; alongside outdoor leisure and attractions; community, sports and arts development. Tracey has held the role since returning to Wales in August 2014, and talked to the Circle about how her role impacts on writers.
Tracey has worked as a cultural development specialist, increasing community benefits, participation and defining the role of culture in community and economic regeneration since the late ‘90’s, working previously in the South East. This included working on significant regeneration and cultural infrastructure programmes to create new galleries, studios, museums, theatres, conference and tourism attractions as well as for skills development, learning, participation and community leadership.
A visual artist and designer by background, Tracey graduated from Chelsea Art College with a BA and MA in Public Art and Environmental Design. After graduating, she worked as artist in residence with schools, youth and community organisations, to develop aspiration and skills in excluded communities and in further education as course tutor, delivering vocational and academic courses in art, history and design.