speakers

Jillian Barker

As a passionate advocate of the power of learning and participation in arts organizations and the need for quality arts provision for all, Jillian has worked in the field for over 20 years as a practitioner, policy maker, manager and consultant. After graduating, Jillian set up and ran a theatre company working in schools and with young people. She progressed onto freelance roles in the education departments of several opera and theatre companies, and then spent four years at the English Touring Opera, building an innovative approach to education and access. She then worked for three years as the Education and Training officer at the Arts Council of England where she contributed to the national policy document on education and training - Leading through Learning - and built up a national overview of arts education across the UK.

Jillian joined the Barbican Centre in September 1997 to set up their first education programme, which is now a pivotal creative force within this international arts centre. The programme spans cinema, galleries, literature, music and theatre and engages with schools, families, community groups and the audiences. The work covers the spectrum from rigorous long-term learning projects through to festival and events. Jillian is also co-founder and co-Artistic Director of the London Children's Film Festival. She writes and speaks regularly on arts education and is active on boards and committees including Hampstead Theatre and The Prince of Wales Foundation for Children and the Arts.

Link:

www.barbican.org.uk