Marc Steene

Director

Marc sees his work as enabling people’s creativity, challenging concepts as to who is an artist and what art is. He seeks to create a fairer art world where a wider body of artists are recognised and have the opportunity to have their work seen and valued and gain opportunity in the art world. He has been responsible for the programming and curating of acclaimed exhibitions of outsider, modern, historic, international and contemporary art, and for the presentation and interpretation of one of the most significant collections of Modern British art in the country. 

To contact Marc email: marc.steene@outsidein.org.uk or tel: 07814 831567

Clair Montier

Operations Manager

Clair studied an Art Foundation and a BA in Theatre Studies (Design) before embarking on a wide-ranging career in arts management that has spanned two decades. She has worked in the administration of performance and cultural spaces in London and Brighton, and most recently spent a decade as General Manager at a respected philanthropic organisation with a focus on their renowned collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art. In this role she also became involved in digital communications and project managed an annual print publication.

Clair’s work has always been underpinned by a desire to support and enable the creativity of a huge range of people. She is delighted to be joining Outside In at this ambitious moment in its development, and is very excited about meeting OI artists across the UK and experiencing their work.

When Clair’s not absorbed in a gallery, museum or theatre she can be found in the kitchen expressing her creativity through food.

To contact Clair please email: Clair.Montier@outsidein.org.uk or call 01903 898171

Hannah Whitlock

Artist Development Programme Manager

Hannah gained a BA Hons in Fine Art in 2014. During her study she discovered her passion for outsider art and completed her dissertation on the topic. Prior to joining Outside In in 2014, Hannah worked with a diverse range of people supporting them with their creative abilities. She now leads on the Artist Development Programme and supports artists to take part in exhibitions, events and opportunities. 

Hannah is the main point of contact for artists that are part of the project or wanting to join. You can email Hannah on: hannah.whitlock@outsidein.org.uk or call 07903 028270, or 01903 898171

Cornelia Marland

Exhibitions Programme Manager

After graduating from SOAS with a degree in Social Anthropology and Art History in 2011, Cornelia went on to work for numerous arts organisations and charities as a Curator and Project Coordinator. In 2015 she founded Geddes Gallery in Kings Cross, London; the gallery’s main focus was around accessibility and ultimately creating a fairer art world, which was open to everyone.

Cornelia joined Outside In as the Exhibitions Coordinator in 2017, becoming programme manager in 2019. In this role Cornelia manages all aspects of exhibitions, art fairs and commercial opportunities for Outside In artists

Email: cornelia.marland@outsidein.org.uk or call 07903 028397 or 01903 898171

Kate Davey

Training Programme Manager

Kate completed an MA at the University of Sussex in 2012, where she specialised in outsider art. Since then, she has worked for several charities that support artists facing barriers to the art world, including an arts and criminal justice network, and the arts and health programme for the NHS mental health service in Sussex. She founded a resource website on outsider art and has organised several exhibitions in Brighton. Kate coordinated the European Outsider Art Association Conference in 2018, and is now leading on Outside In’s Step Up training programme. 

Email: kate.davey@outsidein.org.uk  or call 07903 028391 or 01903 898171

Laura Miles

Communications Manager

A passion for art and words has dominated Laura’s life, something she is now able to combine with a decade’s worth of journalistic experience to make sure everyone knows about the work of Outside In and its talented artists.
As the communications manager she is responsible for everything from newsletters and exhibition posters to press coverage and website management.
Before her career in journalism, which included working on award-winning magazines and running news desks as a chief reporter, Laura studied a joint honours degree in fine art and English literature in Liverpool.

When she is not writing, or reading, you will find Laura creating bespoke papercut artworks, renovating her 1950’s home or baking.

Email: laura.miles@outsidein.org.uk or call 07496 637214 or 01903 898171

Matt Forbes-Dale

Communications Coordinator

Matt joined the Outside In team in September 2019. He has over 25 years communications experience, having worked both agency, client and freelance side for a variety of clients , and specialised in creative communications and strategy, driving arts-related projects for major brands as well organising international events and generating widespread publicity. Matt studied film and creative writing at UEA and has a passion for the visual arts, having also worked as a curator on various projects, and enjoys art, music, writing and exploring his new town of St Leonard’s in his spare time.

Email : matthew.forbes-dale@outsidein.org.uk
Tel: 07903 028452 or 01903 898171

José Forrest

Midlands Artist Development Co-ordinator

With an MA (Distinction) in curating and an MA in fine art, José commenced her management training in 2002 as an Arts Council Fellow based at Mac Birmingham. For the last 17 years she has developed innovative audience and community engagement projects with leading cultural organisations such as Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the National Trust both as an artist and a project manager.

She combined a recent role at Lapworth Museum of Geology at the University of Birmingham, developing their business plan, which included a four-year learning and outreach programme funded through Arts Council England — while juggling her own practice as an artist and digital curator to produce Future Possibilities Lab, a pilot project exploring connections with art and geological data to encourage audience engagement with galleries. Asked what drew José to Outside In and the regional artist development officer position, she said: “The role offers me the opportunity to raise the profile and to broaden the diversity of artists in the Midlands to engage with leading national organisations; Outside In, Pallant House, Fabrica and Compton Verney.” 

Email: jose.forrest@outsidein.org.uk
Tel: 07496 997 333 or 01903 898171

Beth Hopkins

Ambassador Assistant

Beth is an Outside In artist and works in a variety of media including sculpture, textiles and collage. She is an ambassador, part of the Artists Advisory Group and has taken part in Step Up. 

Beth’s role is to support Outside In ambassadors, and to help to recruit and train new ambassadors. Ambassadors and their stories are essential to spreading the word about the work we do. 

Beth has a BA in English and ten years experience working in the charity sector. She is an artist researcher and educator and runs regular art workshops. Beth is the first point of contact for ambassador related queries – you can get in touch with her here: ambassadors@outsidein.org.uk

Beth Troakes

Development Co-ordinator

Beth Troakes is freelance curator and gallery director based in Brighton, UK. She has curated exhibitions nationally and internationally and has worked with partners in Italy, South Korea and China.

She has worked in development as both a freelancer and in arts organisations for many years has also worked with many award-winning international theatre companies and performers as a producer and strives to support artists and musicians who are unsigned and unrepresented.

You can contact Beth on email: beth.troakes@outsidein.org.uk or call 01903 898171

Outside In Volunteers

Outside In has a fantastic group of volunteers who are key to its success. Some act as Ambassadors helping us to reach new audiences. Each volunteer is given a different role depending on what they are interested in and how they want to be part of the project. Outside In are extremely grateful for the support, time and skills the volunteers donate.

To write to Outside In, please address it to: Outside In, PO Box 810, Chichester, PO19 9WF