Vanessa Richards,
is an artist and facilitator exploring interdisciplinary practices with a foundation in writing, performance, music and collaboration.  Her specialization is participatory process and leading edge practices related to community-based arts and urban regeneration.

While resident in London, UK from 1992 till 2004, she was Founder and Artistic Director of live art company, Mannafest. She has delivered socially-engaged projects with and for include: British architect David Adjaye, The UK Design Council, The Live Art Development Agency, Arts Council England, London Education Authority and HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Since returning home to Vancouver she has worked with and for: Vancouver International Writers Festival, Emily Carr College of Art and Design, Surrey Urban Youth Project and CBC-ZeD TV. As Artist-in-Residence at Public Dreams Society 2005/2006, she conceptualized and developed Mountain Mardi Gras, the first inter-cultural winter carnival project on the North Shore.

Her poetry and critical works are anthologized in the UK, Holland, the United States and Canada. Volunteer commitments include Big Sisters and Chair of the Board for Working Arts Society.

www.publicdreams.org
www.sistahoodcelebration.com

Strategic Challenge:

To locate and collaborate with organizations developing and implementing new strategies to further advance inter-sectoral innovation and cultural sustainability. Her goal is to enhance the capacity for arts and creative culture as a pillar from which to support liveable regions within and beyond the GVRD.