CV | sonyarussellsaunders

Experienced Art Curator and Creative Producer

I’m an Independent Contemporary Art Curator and Creative Producer with over 12 years of experience, formerly Head of Creative Learning at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham. I specialise in curating inclusive, cross-disciplinary projects that nurture artistic talent and connect meaningfully with diverse audiences—across galleries, public spaces, and digital platforms.

At MAC, I led the centre’s vibrant informal learning programme, delivering creative workshops for all ages and abilities. I also spearheaded the development of MAC’s digital arts strand, producing a range of innovative initiatives in collaboration with artists, educators, and technologists—placing accessibility, experimentation, and community at the heart of cultural engagement.

My independent practice continues this ethos, with recent commissions and exhibitions showcasing experimental work and underrepresented voices. Highlights include Ana Gabrielle Rutter’s sound installation Gathering Closer, Edward Turpie’s The Drawn Serigraph, and the touring exhibition Reframe: The Director’s Cut at STEAMhouse, Birmingham—delivered in partnership with Southbank Centre and Factory International as part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. I was also commissioned to write the Reframe Schools 2025 Creative Digital Skills Teachers Pack for Southbank Centre.

I actively support charities and arts organisations through curatorial and learning consultancy, and I’m always open to new collaborations—whether developing exhibitions, producing events, or shaping creative learning strategies. As a school governor at BOA Digital Technologies Academy, I bring additional insight into digital education and youth engagement.

My recent projects include Capturing Creativity, an exhibition featuring over 90 UK and European artists, and Digital Zines with Reframe Inspire Schools—a hybrid exhibition combining digital drawing, animation, film, and interactive media across physical and online spaces.

Currently, I’m exploring the future of curating in digital and online environments, with a particular focus on the aesthetics, ethics, and creative potential of AI-generated art. It’s an exciting journey into new curatorial frontiers—watch this space!

Core Skills

Curatorial Practice
Extensive experience in the design, curation, and delivery of exhibitions across gallery, public, and digital spaces, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and audience engagement.
Interpersonal Communication An effective and empathetic communicator with a deep understanding of contemporary artistic practices, including craft and digital media, enabling successful collaboration with artists and communities.
Multidisciplinary Art Knowledge Comprehensive knowledge across visual arts (painting, drawing, printmaking), performance, music, dance, health and wellbeing, and digital technologies such as VR, AR, 360° filmmaking, and animation. Skilled in a wide range of craft disciplines including ceramics, sculpture, textiles, jewellery, and glass, alongside art history and appreciation.
Strategic Producing Experienced in developing and delivering annual programmes, short-form workshops for all age groups, digital arts and technology festivals, and careers-focused events for young people.
Budget Management Proven ability to manage budgets from forecasting through to delivery, achieving a threefold increase in revenue through strategic planning and resource optimisation.
Organisational Skills Highly organised, with a strong track record in contract drafting, invoice processing, and administrative coordination to ensure efficient project delivery.
Interpretive Content Creation Proficient in producing high-quality exhibition materials, including interpretation panels, labels, course descriptions, brochures, and digital content for websites and social media.
Exhibition & Event Delivery Demonstrated ability to deliver impactful exhibitions and public events that engage diverse audiences and meet strategic objectives.
Collaborative Partnerships Experienced in building and maintaining partnerships with leading organisations such as STEAMhouse, Southbank Centre, Factory International, Aston University, and Associated Architects.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committed to embedding EDI principles across all areas of practice, with a focus on creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in the arts.
Safeguarding Leadership Designated Safeguarding Lead at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) from 2020 to 2024, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
Governance & Leadership Governor and Interim Chair at BOA Digital Technologies Academy, Birmingham, contributing to strategic planning and educational leadership.

Selected Exhibitions and Projects

Creative Art Showcase at Artrix, Bromsgrove, April to June 2025

Commissioned by Creative Art Showcase to design and curate four exhibition spaces at Artrix, Bromsgrove, celebrating

the work of local artists and creative entrepreneurs. The showcase includes drawing, painting, collagraph prints,

watercolours, and photography by artists such as Felicity Osborne, Celia Nancarrow, Kate Gallimore, and Juliet May,

exploring abstraction, nature, landscape, and pattern.

Ana Gabrielle Rutter, Gathering Closer, Birmingham City University, April 2025.

Solo exhibition of sound art and installation. Ana's practice is an exploration of embodied everyday experiences through audio-visual artworks and PhD practice. Tue 8 April to Thu 17 April 2025 Birmingham School of Art Gallery, Birmingham City University, Margaret Street, B3 3BX

Edward Turpie, The Drawn Serigraph and Investigation Through Portraiture, Birmingham City University, School of Art, 20 – 23 January 2025

Solo show by artist Edward (Jonnie) Turpie of serigraph prints and portraiture showcasing his PhD research.

Reframe: The Directors Cut Exhibition of Photography, STEAMhouse, Birmingham, April to December 2024

A touring exhibition of 24 large-scale photographic artworks, originally shown at Factory International in Manchester and re-staged for STEAMhouse, Birmingham.

Capturing Creativity, Creative Art Showcase, Bromsgrove, October 2024

Commissioned by Creative Art Showcase, this vibrant exhibition featured work by 90 artists from the UK and Europe, including painting, drawing, printmaking, video, textiles, ceramics, glass, sculpture, and jewellery. MA Fine Art students from Birmingham City University also participated. Responsibilities included curatorial design, artist liaison, interpretation materials, catalogue production, volunteer management, and art sales. The show attracted over 450 attendees and sold 12 artworks.

Made at MAC Gallery, 2019-2024

An annual exhibition space showcasing the talent of those attending MAC’s courses and professional artists. Exhibitions include:

Celebrating Ceramics (Feb to June 2025): Display of ceramics created by students and tutors, including hand-thrown vessels, slip casting, figurative sculpture, and inlaid porcelain.
Digital Zines (June to October 2023): Exhibition of zines created by Birmingham schools, transformed into digital formats with animation, film, audio, and digital drawings.
Printmaking (Jan to July 2022)
Painting Inspired by the Scottish Colourists (May to October 2021)

Reframe Inspire Schools 2022-2023

Birmingham lead for Reframe Inspire Schools programme, funded by Apple and in partnership with Southbank Centre, STEAMhouse, Midlands Arts Centre, and Factory International. This initiative aimed to empower Black creatives through digital skills programmes, culminating in physical and digital exhibitions inspired by the climate emergency. Working with 7 schools, including SEN. The children created pledges to the planet that featured in their animations, films, poetry, and raps.

Girls that Geek Conference 2019-2024

Description: Aimed at young women aged 13+, this conference focused on digital arts and tech industries, featuring keynote speakers, career panels, performances, and hands-on tech experiences. Key partners included Sarah Ellis (RSC), Ruth McCulloch (Abandon Normal Devices), Laura Kriefman (Hellion Trace), Nicole Justice (Amber Music Group), and The Space, local universities, and Associated Architects.

Little Geeks Festival 2019-2023

Producer of MAC’s bi-annual festival featuring courses, workshops, and events. Highlights included AI Art with Sakab Bashir, The Robot Diaries Avatar Performance by Ania Nierobisz, and Fabulous Sound Machines with Eye Music Trust.

Education

MA Contemporary Curatorial Practice, Birmingham City University

BA Hons History of Art and Design, Birmingham City University

Awards and Training

Creative Digital Leadership Programme, Arts Connect (2020-2021)

Leadership Development Programme, Arts Connect (2019-2020)

New Art West Midlands Curatorial Bursary (2016)