Young People in the Arts welcomes new Directors

Young People in the Arts (YPIA) has unveiled a new leadership team, welcoming NICOLE ELIZABETH DAVENPORT as Director of Finance and Strategy, MATTHEW KNIGHT as Director of Planning, THEA PARK-REEVE as Director of Partnerships and Development, and MILLIE-BETH WRIGHT as Director of Communications.

The quartet will take over from YPIA’s current Directors – TESSA DETERDING, ANGHARAD MUIR-DAVIES and SHANNON ST LUCE when they step down following a handover period with the new team.

A networking organisation for arts professionals at the outset of their careers, YPIA is run by a volunteer committee with current members in diverse roles across the arts industry.

Davenport works as a Support Analyst at Spektrix and is a freelance Video Producer, having previously worked in various capacities at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, most recently as Membership Manager.

Meanwhile, Knight is the Promotion and Production Executive at Schott Music and has experience as a freelance Assistant Director in opera and musical theatre.

An Events & Partnerships Assistant at Cancer Research UK, Park-Reeve has also worked for The British Institute of Radiology as an Event Co-ordinator and a Gallerist at Hampstead Garden Gallery.

Wright is an Access Co-ordinator at ICA as well as a freelance event organiser for Ladies Lovin' Radio.

She said of her new position: “As Thea, Matthew, Nicole and I assume our respective director roles in 2024, we are brimming with excitement about the future of YPIA. 

"Our time on the YPIA committee has been transformative, providing us with opportunities to experiment, learn, and grow. Now, stepping into leadership roles, it becomes a special responsibility to facilitate similar experiences for new recruits.”

YPIA will begin recruitment for its 2024/5 committee in May.