The team at Sudbury Arts Centre are a dedicated group of individuals passionate about making and embracing difference, and we’re always looking for ways to make a positive impact. Sudbury Arts Centre is proudly operated by The Bridge, a unique, creative social enterprise enabling those living in Sudbury and surrounding areas to live well. We also have a welcoming and friendly team of bar/café staff and back office support team, and work with a talented bank of casual technical experts.
Alli Burke
Arts Centre Manager | alli@sudburyartscentre.com
Alli has worked in operational management for twenty years, the last six of which have been developing Sudbury Arts Centre, as a key project team member for the £2.5M project to repair and regenerate this former church of St Peter’s. She also has broad experience in event management, from gigs to spoken word to heritage learning activities and festival management, community engagement and strategic partnership building. Alli is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Clore Social Leadership alumni.
“I am passionate about change-making for social good and making this place an inclusive space for everyone to feel safe, welcome and part of the SAC family. I aim to be progressive and push boundaries, but I am also realistic about the need to balance the books. We are very privileged guardians of this magical building, looking after it for future generations, so we must do all we can to keep it relevant and sustainable.“
“I have three kind and creative kids, a rescue dog, possess eclectic musical tastes, and as a musician myself, understand the requirements of touring performers very well! I love where I live, work and play – Sudbury is a brilliant place full of brilliant people – young and old. I feel fortunate.“
Gemma Garwood
Arts Centre Engagement Officer | gemma@sudburyartscentre.com
Gemma is a multidisciplinary artist and creative facilitator. A collaborative cultural magpie, begging, borrowing and building to create beguiling and locally significant works. She loves meeting people and celebrating their stories and experiences, preferably by making and creating together.
“My work is grounded in mythology, heritage, performance and theatre, but I often venture into other territories as necessary. I am especially concerned with site-specific and socially engaged practices; how we relate to, understand and construct our environment and relationships. I am a proudly Neurodivergent artist, advocate and activist who is passionate about working with people in the places that belong to them. I especially love digging into heritage practices and local folklore and have even spent time as a town crier.“
“I’m the front woman in an incredibly fun goth band. I love walking (especially somewhere as beautiful as Sudbury!), and I’m obsessed with the moon. Sudbury has such a strong sense of regional and historical identity with so many brilliant stories to explore. I can’t wait to share some of them with you!”
Dave Jackson
CEO, The Bridge | dave.jackson@thebridgeproject.co.uk
Dave has a wealth of experience working with those who have had a difficult start in life. As the Chief Executive Officer at The Bridge, he is passionate about bringing opportunities to marginalised groups in the community. He works closely with the management team at Sudbury Arts Centre in delivering the operational goals.
Volunteering With Us
Crucially, we are supported by a team of invaluable volunteers. We have many varied roles available so please contact us for more information and details on how to join the team at Sudbury Arts.
We are proud of our partnership with the project, working closely with The Churches Conservation Trust and The Bridge Project. Sudbury Arts Centre will deliver far reaching social benefit for Sudbury and the surrounding communities.
Paul Mackman, Co-founder and Managing Director of The Mackman Group