About me
Eona is the RCS Head of Lifelong Learning and Widening Access. She is an experienced arts development professional with an MA in Education (Management), a BA in Dramatic Studies and a successful 30-year record of working in the creative industries, with a focus on cultural regeneration, creative enterprise and inclusive educational development.
Eona has worked in the independent arts sector, with public bodies, in the private sector and now in higher education. She has a specific interest in researching and understanding how the arts and creative endeavour can positively influence and enhance the lives of marginalised learners.
Eona is also Director of Articulate Scotland and co-owns a thriving retail business around her award-winning design of The Articulate Gallery www.articulategallery.com.
As Head of Short Courses, Eona has built up the RCS lifelong learning profile from 300 local learners in 2008 to 2,700 learners from all around the world in 2015. This dynamic and award-winning programme creates projects and pathways for all ages and stages in dance, film, drama, music, the production arts and specialist teaching skills.
Eona took the lead role in establishing and embedding key Conservatoire's widening access initiatives such as Transitions 20/40, Entry to the Creative Industries, the Arts and Social Justice programme, credit-rated short courses including Foundation Certificates, Modern Apprenticeships and the James McAvoy Drama Scholarships as well as the Junior Conservatoire of Dance, Drama, Production and Screen, an advanced training scheme for pre-HE talent identification and development.
Research interests continue to focus on equality, diversity and inclusion through collaborative and partnership working:
• with the National Theatre of Scotland, National Autistic Society and NHS on drama, theatre and autism
• on the creative life and potential of young people who are care experienced with Who Cares? Scotland, CELCIS, Buttle UK Trust and MCR Pathways
• about the ongoing training needs of young D/deaf performers with Solar Bear Theatre Company (academic paper published in July 2016), and
• focussed on the role of drama and theatre in the work of Scotland's prisons and offender learning with FE colleges and the Scottish Prison Service.
Awards at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland:
• The Herald Higher Education Awards
Widening Access Award – 2015 and 2016 Winner
• NEON Awards – Best UK Widening Access Project – 2016 Commended
• Times Higher Education Awards - Widening Participation Initiative of the Year – 2016 UK Finalist
• The Herald Diversity Awards – Diversity Star Performer – 2016 Finalist
• Glasgow: Inspiring City Awards - Education Award – 2015 and 2016 Finalist
• Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards
Sustained Partnership Award (Solar Bear) – 2016 Finalist
• Creative and Cultural Skills Awards
Training Provider of the Year – 2016 UK Finalist
• The Koestler Awards - Platinum Award – 2015 Winner
Awards at Articulate Scotland:
• Primary Teacher Creative Play Awards - Gold Award
• Smarta 100 Awards - Winner
• Angel's Den Pitching Competition - Winner
• Loved by Parents Awards - Silver Award
• Exporting for Growth Awards - Bronze Award
• Primary Teacher Creative Play Awards – Bronze Award
• Talking Tots Best Toy Awards - Highly Commended
• Junior Design Awards - Highly Commended
• Gift of the Year Awards - Highly Commended
• Spring Fair Awards - Innovation Award
Awards at Scottish Chamber Orchestra:
• Sainsbury’s National Arts and Education Award – UK Winner
Previously, Eona established arts festivals in Glasgow and the Highlands and Islands, worked for national companies including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, acted as a consultant to the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Government and evolved programmes in local authority settings employing the arts to make a positive impact on education, inclusion, community development, youth justice and economic regeneration. She also had a key role in Glasgow’s best value reviews of museums, heritage, the arts and culture.
As a student at RSAMD, Eona produced the ambitious End of an Era Charity Gala Evening; the last show in the Old Athenaeum Theatre. The gala was a rich mix of student performances, those by well-known alumni including David Hayman, Andy Stewart and Alan Cumming and a fund-raiser for key Scottish charities.
She has been a panel, committee or board member for:
• ArtWorks Alliance
• Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
• Association of British Orchestras
• Education Scotland
• Equality Challenge Unit
• St Magnus Festival
• Scottish Arts Council
• Scottish Qualifications Authority
• Scottish Government
• Skills Development Scotland
Eona is a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), member of the Creative Industries Federation, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Social Enterprise Scotland and a trained mentor with MCR Pathways in Glasgow. Eona is also Director of Life Changes (Trustee) Limited, Trustee of the Life Changes Trust and Committee Member for the LCT Care Experienced Young People Programme.
Skills
- 5+ Years Project Management
- Creative Arts
- Arts Business
- Business Start up
- 10+ Years Professional Experience in Marketing
- Ability to Recognise Nurture and Develop Creative Talent
- 10 Years of Experience Playing with Artists