New director for Cartwheel Arts

The Cartwheel Arts team L-R: Vicki Greer, Bailey Leonard, Rick Walker, Hebe Reilly, Lucy Holland, Richard Hirst and Becky Smyllie

After 17 years as director of Cartwheel Arts, Rick Walker is retiring and will be succeeded by Hebe Reilly.

Rick will retire this month after 21 years with the Heywood-based participatory arts charity.

Hebe leaves her role as engagement manager at The Lowry in Salford to lead Cartwheel Arts. Hebe has a track record of delivering large scale, participatory arts programmes, that support the health and wellbeing of communities, both within Greater Manchester and internationally.

Rick said: "It has been a great privilege to steer Cartwheel through some turbulent times and I am enormously proud of the achievements of the charity and the impact that we have made, not least during the pandemic when we led the cultural sector’s contribution to the community response in Rochdale borough.

"I am sad to go with so many exciting developments on the horizon, but it is time for fresh eyes. Hebe has a fantastic track record in participatory arts and I am really looking forward to seeing what direction she takes the company in."

Hebe started in post in January for a handover period with Rick. She said: "I am honoured to be taking over the role of Director at Cartwheel.

"The organisation, under Rick’s leadership, has delivered hundreds of creative, ambitious and life-changing projects, the impact of which has been felt locally and contributed to national conversations around best practice in the participatory arts.

"As we emerge from the pandemic this is an exciting time for Cartwheel and I am thrilled to be the newly appointed director.

"I look forward to working closely with the team and local communities to continue to deliver an engaging and ambitious programme of work."

Cartwheel Arts work in Greater Manchester with a focus on the Rochdale borough. Their tagline is Art for a Reason, and they use arts projects to address social issues and tackle inequalities.

For more information about how you can get involved with their work please visit their website www.cartwheelarts.org.uk or phone 01706 361300.