We were impressed with Sara’s knowledge of the expansive field of contemporary art and how it links to today’s culture and was able to direct that understanding in a way that was relevant to us. She is consistently professional and approachable – incredibly personable, supportive and a delight to work with.
Two-Step / Beth Shapeero & Fraser Taylor collaborative team Glasgow, Scotland
My work as an consultant and evaluator is dedicated to revitalising, regenerating, and rewilding potential to create lasting positive legacies for individuals and teams by focusing on experiences—how people feel, their capacity for discovery, and the transformative power of exploring new perspectives in creative and safe ways. As a practice-based researcher and advisor working across cultural organisations, academia, nonprofits, businesses, and boards, I specialise in participatory arts practices and their influence on belonging, connection, policy change, and institutional development. My PhD (2020) examined socio-spatial relationships in cultural and civic spaces and the role of the arts in shaping society. With expertise in participatory research, arts evaluation, and performance in civic spaces such as museums, I bring creativity and knowledge for social justice and positive social change, alongside a commitment to the development of the applied and participatory arts sector.
Experience
- MUNCH Museum, Oslo – Practitioner Researcher working collaboratively with the head of research and learning team to understand the impact of participatory projects for families and the role of research in the museum. This work included a series of interviews with children and their care takers, museum staff and artists to unpack and make visible the value of such programming across diverse populations, agendas and interests. Outputs included a 35-page reflection piece to be shared internally and with other museums in the region to encourage learning and knowledge exchange.
- Queen Mary University London, People’s Palace Project – Consultant & Evaluator working with the Director and team to prepare a framework for evaluation and suggesting innovative approaches to evaluation, including interviews with artists, staff and community members to elevate and make visible the project A Very British Rhythm – focusing on black British dancers and choreographers, celebrating their history and illuminating hidden heritages and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Royal Holloway University of London – Post-Doctoral Researcher working alongside sociologist Louise Ashley and theatre specialist Helen Nicholson Helen Nicholson on the project Civic Theatres: A Place for Towns looking at the role of participatory young people’s programmes at the National Theatre and Young Vic and the influence on the culture of the organisation and community. This included a series of interviews with young people working in the theatre and co-writing a publication (see below) on the results of the study. Directing change? Reflections on participatory programmes and inclusive theatres cultures
- Arts Council England – Evaluator of National Portfolio Organisation’s applications for funding and the complexities and nuances of evaluating ACE/Nat Lottery funded projects – how performing arts can contribute to community building.
- H2Dance/Fest n Fest – Evaluator impact of young people’s creative/curatorial project on their mental health. Multi-layered project over a year including theatres in SE England with different communities of people and values of orgs (Cambridge Junction, Metal and Firstsite. Produced an evaluation framework around the outreach that helps H2Dance understand a few different areas – including mental health & well being and whether the project has any positive impact.
- Museum Development – Mentor on EDI action plans of UK museums and evaluating the impact of those actions and providing recommendations.
- Tate Modern & Tate Britian – Guest Artist and Researcher for the Experience & Value of Live Art project research of what young people get from Live Art in the museum using innovative, creative methods of data collection and display. Co-led by Dr Emily Pringle, former Head of Research Tate and Dr Pat Thomson, Professor of Education, Nottingham University.
- Mentoring students – I have worked in academia since 1996 as a freelance lecturer and across BA and MFA programmes in dance, theatre, fine art, urban design and interdisciplinary performance. This work has included advising and mentoring students in their development and guiding them in research practices, such as qualitative data collection, including interviews and story-telling, as well as data collection methods, finding patters and using innovative systems for reporting that include creative practices. Institutions I have worked for include Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance, Southbank University London, the International University Venice and Anglia Ruskin University.
My expertise & skills
- Working with young people as key collaborators, centring their experience.
- Developing innovative methodologies that are inclusive and equitable.
- Reading social-spatial relations and politics of space.
- Verbal and non-verbal ways of knowing through the body.
- Storytelling through personal experiences.
- Mapping synergies and finding connections.
- Working independently and collaboratively.
- Partnering across a range of stakeholders across cultural, HE and government.
- Relationship building and sustainability.
Relevant Research & Published Articles
Exploring the Notion of Relevance Now – co-led conversation with Evelyn Wilson, Co-Director of NCACE (National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange) and Founder and Director of The Culture Capital Exchange (TCCE). This discussion acted as a space to explore those shifts and ask some probing questions about their practical ramifications and about how we might both make change and adapt to change in order to best live and work in the post-pandemic world as it unfolds.
Knowledge and research based in practice: ways of knowing and articulation Considering practice-based-research through anecdotal experiences across academia, museums and archival practices.
Relational Matters: Dance and the Museum – Forthcoming Monograph (2026) to be published by Bloomsbury. Researching the practical and theoretical impact of live programming in museums and its impact on institutional change and democratic ideals across three case studies: Tate Modern, Van Abbemuseum and Raven Row. Based on my thesis: Spatial Relations: Dance in the Changing Museum
I am happy to chat with you to where my services meet your needs.