Meet
the Team

Emma has spent 20 years working in in arts management and community projects.

She holds a degree in Arts Management and Youth & Community Work, Emma’s journey began at Chicken Shed as a drama facilitator, where she discovered her passion for inclusive practice and community arts.

She then became a Youth and Community worker, leading arts-based programmes including an orchestral residency.

Emma worked as the Arts and Culture Manager at a local council, where she ran the Building in the Arts programme, commissioned public art, and developed a Public Art Strategy.

She also led a number of large-scale projects including artists in residence across libraries and a six year public art project funded by Arts Council England.

Emma and her best friend co-founded Shape Youth Arts, delivering youth services across Bedfordshire and NCS programmes in Luton, using an arts-led approach and collaborating with artists and creatives.

Emma took on the role of Place Partnerships Manager at the Royal Opera House.

She worked across the East region to establish partnerships, design funding streams, and strategically enhance place-based arts offers for children and young people.

Emma also developed Local Cultural Education Partnerships and EDI initiatives.
Emma’s commitment to arts and community goes beyond her professional roles. She has served on the boards of several Music Hubs and Arts organisations and spent seven years as a school governor, focusing on arts.

Emma enjoys participating in her local Rep Theatre, both performing in and directing plays. As a mother and co-CEO of her household, she values the importance of people and community in all her endeavours. Emma believes in the power of communities and advocates for equitable access to arts and culture, ensuring that everyone can experience the transformative impact of the arts.

Imrana has spent over a decade working in arts and community engagement.

She is an award-winning Creative Producer known for her innovative approach to arts and community engagement. Imrana has established herself as a leading voice in the UK’s cultural landscape, championing inclusive storytelling and cross-sector collaboration.

Imrana’s work intersects art, social justice, and community empowerment. She produces thought-provoking and socially engaged projects that amplify underrepresented voices. Her projects, ranging from large-scale public art installations to intimate community-led performances, often address themes of identity, belonging, and resilience.

Imrana has founded several grassroots initiatives and is deeply committed to co-creation and collaboration. She has worked with a diverse range of partners—from local councils and schools to national arts organisations and heritage institutions—bringing creativity into spaces where it’s most needed. Her strategic and empathetic leadership has helped shape inclusive cultural programmes that leave a lasting impact.

Imrana has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts and continues to mentor emerging creatives from marginalised backgrounds. Her practice is driven by lived experience, an unwavering commitment to equity, and a belief in the power of culture to drive systemic change.

Imrana frequently speaks on panels, delivers workshops, and contributes to research exploring the role of the arts in civic life. Whether she is curating multi-arts festivals or facilitates community dialogues, Imrana approaches every project with curiosity, care, and a drive to make meaningful connections.

Imrana Mahmood is not just a producer; she’s a catalyst for change—bridging communities and sparking dialogue through bold and imaginative cultural work.

Natalie, an award-winning arts producer and fundraiser from Hong Kong, works in the UK.

She received the Stage One Producers’ Bursary and the Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice Fund for her work in theatre.

For her work in Film and TV, she received Film and TV Charity’s Sir Horace Ové Grant and Screenskills Bursary.

Recent Theatre Producer credits include: The Lonesome Death of Eng Bunker (Kakilang, Omnibus Theatre); The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience (Kakilang, Soho Theatre); This is Not A Show About Hong Kong (UNTAPPED and Fringe First Winner); Bakla (Asian Arts Awards Winner); Blanket Ban (UNTAPPED Winner, Southwark Playhouse).

As Associate Producer, she worked on Best of Enemies West End. As Consultant, she contributed to WILD the Musical with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.

Driven by her ambition for a more inclusive arts and culture sector, she was Innovator and Agent for Change for Artistic Directors of the Future between 2022-2023. During this time, she researched and highlighted hidden barriers faced by Global Majority practitioners stepping into leadership positions and made cases for change and peer to peer support.

She received the Community Grant from Film and TV Charity to deliver peer-to-peer support during COVID-19. In 2024, she was a leadership facilitator for PAC Australia at International Society for Performing Arts Congress in Perth and received the British Council Festival Travel Grant for exchanges with China.

Natalie held previous leadership roles at Streatham Space Project and Kakilang, Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation producing East and Southeast Asian artists. She also served as Producer for In Good Company and General Manager for Creative Youth, where she won the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy’s Giving Tuesday Competition for Digital Innovation.

Additionally, she received the Blackbaud Scholarship for completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent.

Karene is the Cultural Education and Partnerships Officer at Bedfordshire University.

She has a passion for advocating for youth voice and has worked in schools across the UK and internationally, planning and leading workshops.

Karene is keen to ensure the Arts are celebrated in educational spaces. With more than 10 years of experience as a facilitator, she is excited to create new opportunities and partnerships within and across Luton to keep creativity as a focus.

Karene describes herself as a professional chaos maker, aiming to find new ideas in new ways. She hopes to support the communities within Luton to showcase the creativity already thriving and build diverse projects that can be seen in schools and other education providers.

Karene believes everyone should have a chance to connect with creative experiences and regularly works to remove any barriers or limitations.

In addition to her professional role, Karene is a director, a poet and spoken word artist, an (occasional) actress, and a full-time cat parent.

Her multifaceted career and dedication to the arts make her a dynamic and inspiring member of the team.

Sonal is a dedicated member of the Luton Arts Programme, bringing her expertise in data collection to support various initiatives.

With a background in marketing, Sonal has transitioned to focus on data analysis, driven by her passion for understanding and leveraging data to create impactful projects.

Sonal’s lived experience with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) informs her commitment to making the arts accessible and inclusive for all. She believes in the power of art to bring people together and create meaningful change in the community.

At Luton Arts, Sonal is involved in several key initiatives, including the Luton Creates Fund, Resource Hub, and public events. She is dedicated to aligning these efforts with the Luton 2040 vision, focusing on sustainability and creating a legacy for future generations.

Sonal’s role involves collecting and analysing data to support the programme’s goals, ensuring that projects are effective and impactful. Her unique perspective and dedication make her a valuable part of the team.

Outside of her professional life, Sonal enjoys attending cultural events, and supporting community causes. Her enthusiasm and dedication make her a vital part of the Luton Arts team.