Photo credit: Steve Tanner
amanda harris
Leadership in Arts and Culture
Suggested by Sarah Connors and Helen Reynolds
From Sarah Connors:
”Amanda Harris has worked tirelessly over the last three decades in the arts in Cornwall. Her championing of freelance performers and writers has left an incredible legacy as well as the creation of Kernow Education Arts Partnership (KEAP).
Through her work at The Writers’ Block, she has demonstrated a deep understanding and compassion for freelance creatives in Cornwall. She has left behind an organisation that allows freelance workers to feel respected, supported and given many fledging artists the wings to fly. “
From Helen Reynolds:
“Amanda has been behind so many great ideas that make a difference for people in Cornwall. She set up Carn to Cove, Cornwall’s performing arts scheme for rural communities, a pioneering charity who fill local sports halls, chapels and our wonderfully varied village halls with poetry, laughter, music, drama, stories and dancing; and followed this with KEAP, The Writers’ Block and The Story Republic.
Amanda was part of the team behind City of Lights, lantern parade, her contacts and collaboration allowed creative partnerships in Cornwall to hit the ground running. She was instrumental in Cornwall’s first application for a Music Education Hub. With her long time collaborators, most often Anna Maria Murphy, Amanda recognises people’s strengths and allows them to shine, with community and Cornwall always in her heart.”
Amanda lives and works in Cornwall. She is a core part of Cornwall’s cultural sector. She retired from The Writers’ Block in Nov 2023, but still works as a writer in Cornwall and volunteers.