Joan Parr recently retired from a 25 year career managing, developing and advocating for socially engaged arts practice in Scotland. She spent 13 years at Creative Scotland as Head of Creative Learning and Director of Arts and Engagement. She went on to be Director of Culture and Wellbeing at City of Edinburgh Council.
Joan is passionate about the value of creativity to enhance the lives of individuals, communities and societies. Her work has had a strong focus on advocating to governments and institutions about the benefits of nurturing creativity. It has also focused on enabling access for everyone to opportunities for creative expression as a creator or audience member.
Joan has spoken at conferences and events across the world. These included the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Carnegie Hall in New York, from the top of a bus in Poland, Medellin, Colombia and Seoul, South Korea. She has chaired several international fora with an emphasis on socially engaged arts practice. At these events she contributed the experiences from Scotland and learning from others.
Joan has recent experience of caring for a family member with dementia. She is now enjoying having more time to and play and create with (and without) her grandchildren.
