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Abi ensures the mechanics of the company work smoothly, both legal and funding compliant, and that a healthy financial position is maintained. She works with Vicki and the artistic team to develop StopGAP’s business including securing major projects, international work and funding.
Abi is the most recent member of the StopGAP team, bringing a unique blend of professional dance experience mixed with corporate business knowledge.
Dance has been integral to Abi’s life since she was a child, training professionally at Elmhurst Ballet School (Camberley) and then working around the world with various dance and theatre companies. Deciding that an education in the business of art would be a good long term goal, Abi took the bold decision to step away from performing and into the world of arts administration. At the same time as working with a small arts development company in Covent Garden, Abi graduated from Birkbeck College with her Arts Management qualifications.
Returning to Surrey in 2007 Abi grasped the opportunity to work with a local large corporate sector company, where she was heavily involved in international marketing campaigns for a number of extremely high profile products. Her time with this company afforded Abi invaluable experience in the commercial, sales, marketing and management environments.
But the lure of a career in the arts sector was too strong for Abi to resist and she is thrilled to be joining StopGAP at such an exciting time in its development, bringing with her a passion of the arts and a keen head for business, which she hopes will continue to support the growth of StopGAP for the coming years.
Sho’s responsibilities broadly cover Dance Development and leading projects as part of the artistic team. The dance development aspect of his portfolio is underpinned by 3 year grant from Children in Need, and it focuses on developing workshops in Surrey, including the establishment of local integrated youth group. Leading on artistic projects include producing StopGAP’s outdoor work and working closely with Vicki and Lucy to research and develop the ideas that are brewing.
Sho joined StopGAP in January 2008. He first developed his interest in disability issues through Special Olympics, Japan in 2002, where he played a part in coordinating the international games in Tokyo. He then graduated from London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005 with a degree in Philosophy, taking Social Psychology as his minor modules. Social Psychology further developed his interest in issues of exclusion, and this led him to take internships that used art to tackle exclusion.
After the internships, Sho worked for Arts Council England, South East as the Combined Arts Administrator, and later as the Executive Assistant. At the Arts Council, he developed a good understanding of the arts infrastructure in the South East region and discovered exciting contemporary artists and organisations.
At StopGAP Sho can combine his enthusiasm for 'making great art happen' and past experience in disability sector. He is excited by StopGAP's big ambitions, and with the company he aims to support the development of integrated dance nationally and internationally.
Donna is the stable, constant presence in the office, helping to be the lynch pin of information, and ensuring smooth running of office. Donna particularly focuses on work that cannot falter, for instance everything that surrounds our touring.
Donna was born in London and trained at Laine Theatre Arts and London Contemporary Dance School, graduating with a BA(Hons). She has worked in dance administration since graduation, working for a range of contemporary companies and organisations including The Place, Greenwich Dance Agency and NYB. In addition, Donna has worked as a performer and choreographer and has taught at the Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst and for the National Youth Ballet. She is a mum to 2 young children and has worked with StopGAP since February 2010.
Judith will be the person who makes all our dreams come true … at least that’s what weve asked her to do!
Judith Hibberd has had over 20 years experience in the arts as programmer, producer and arts manager. Trained at Goldsmiths, Judith produced and programmed theatre and dance at Battersea Arts Centre and ran the National Young Directors Award before being selected by Royal National Theatre and London International Festival of Theatre, to take part in an international artists' exchange in Romania. This led to a range of international exchanges in Eastern Europe over a ten year period, a festival of British work in Romania and a major festival of work from the Baltic States.
At Watermans Judith ran the theatre and produced large scale work on the Thames before moving to Arts Council England where she was Head of Performing Arts. She is about to set up her own company, 'Judith Hibberd Associates'.
Delia will be working with Vicki to ensure StopGAP is ready to leap forwards into the next chapter of this crazy story!
Delia Barker is a senior arts professional with extensive skills and experience and has been involved in a number of organisations including dance producers, international dance touring companies and large local authority art departments. Most recently as Senior Officer in Dance at Arts Council England's London region, Delia managed a portfolio of diverse cultural organisations receiving £9.1 million of public investment, as well as implementing strategies in partnership with local and national agencies and managing high level relationships.
She recently completed a Powerbrokers International Leadership Placement as Business Development Associate at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination (Barbados), developing a 5-year Cultural Strategy for Barbados. In March 2010 Delia was named as one of 50 Women to Watch in Culture by a prestigious panel including Wayne McGregor, Jenni Murray and Kwame Kwei-Armah for the Cultural Leadership Programme.