Meet the team
Katy Culbard, Programme Manager
Katy has been working with creative and cultural organisations since 1998, including museums, galleries, libraries, schools, universities, and more.
She has extensive experience in facilitating, designing, programming, managing, and evaluating arts activities, projects, and programmes.
Through her work, Katy aims to promote mental health, learning, equality, employability, fun, and self-expression.
Milly Lawson, Creative Arts Officer
Milly has over 20 years of experience in creative performance, teaching, facilitating, and mentoring. She trained at the Birmingham Conservatoire before starting her career as a professional musician. She has worked with Ninja Tune Records, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, West Midlands Chamber Music Society, the University of Oxford and Nottingham Trent University.
Milly has also trained with The Royal Shakespeare Company, using their techniques to make the bard’s work accessible for young people. She works with learners of all ages, from early years to adults, and has experience working in SEND environments.
Contact: milly.lawson@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk
Clare Janes, Community Project Manager
Clare has over two decades of experience in arts project development and community engagement. She studied Fine Art at Sunderland University before launching her career as a visual artist, project manager, and events coordinator in the community arts sector.
She has previously worked for Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, West Nottinghamshire College, The Mighty Creatives, and Inspire: Culture, Learning, and Libraries. Clare loves working with creatives, schools, and community groups throughout the district, bringing a range of innovative and inspiring projects to the people of Newark and Sherwood.
Contact: clare.janes@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk
Sophie Toyne, Marketing and Design Officer
Sophie is a creative professional with a passion for the arts, culture, and entertainment sectors. She has a BA Honours in Fine Art, an MA in Arts Journalism, and more than 10 years of experience as an entertainment journalist, arts marketer, and graphic designer.
She has worked freelance and in-house for magazines, creative agencies, and arts and heritage organisations. An avid reader, she is currently working towards an MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing at the University of Lincoln. She joined the our team in 2025 and loves that she gets to work on such a diverse range of projects while making arts and culture accessible to everyone.
Caroline Rowland, Youth Engagement Officer
Caroline has over 12 years of experience in the arts and cultural sector as a creative facilitator, performer, and producer. With a degree in Dance from De Montfort University, Caroline has worked with hundreds of young people across multiple disciplines, including youth music facilitation, inclusive dance and drama teaching, and co-producing youth-led festivals, school theatre tours, and youth voice projects.
She has worked with FTM Dance, Soft Touch Arts, Attenborough Arts Centre, Epic Arts Cambodia, Pedestrian Limited, Enter Edem, Nonsuch Studios, and Umaima Theatre. Her multidisciplinary approach puts creativity, leadership, and co-production at the heart of everything she does.
Get in touch
Got a question for us? Email the team at opendoors@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk