About Us

Local is a creative practice specialising in place-based community engagement and cultural programming.

We engage communities through art, research, and creative action, supporting them to create positive change right on their doorsteps. We celebrate what makes a place unique while introducing fresh perspectives to shape spaces that are more connected, relevant, and sustainable.

Collaboration and participation are at the core of what we do, ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping their local environment through inclusive, ethical, and sustainable practices. With a flexible toolkit of creative research methods, we tailor each project to its community—whether through public art, cultural programming, or engagement initiatives, we always start with Local.

Alongside our core team, we collaborate with a growing network of artists, creative partners, and forward-thinkers to deliver ambitious projects both locally and globally. Together, we’re not afraid to ask tough questions or challenge current thinking.

CONTACT US
OUR WORK

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Town Centre Vision

Using our Urban Room engagement strategy, designed to ensure local voices and ideas are considered, we provided further context and analysis to Rochdale's emerging town centre vision.

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Living Room

As part of the Stalybridge Heritage Action Zone, we’re co-creating a living archive to democratise local heritage and create spaces to share stories and provide fresh interpretations.

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Corridor of Light

We produced the creative vision, commissioning framework, fundraising and evaluation for Corridor of Light 2021 – a three-day pilot arts festival in Manchester’s Innovation District.

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Great Place GM

We managed and delivered the legacy programme for the Greater Manchester Great Place scheme, demonstrating the impact of culture and creativity on community and place.

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Live Works

We’re an Associate to the University of Sheffield’s Urban Room and placemaking consultancy. As Associate, we design and deliver creative co-production strategies for working with local communities.

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ICE Living Lab

We provide ongoing support, advice and cultural exchange for Borlänge's Innovation Centre of Excellence (Sweden), advocating for creative placemaking strategies for the future.

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GMAST

We developed the new strategy and business plan for the Greater Manchester Art Sustainability Team, helping them to strengthen their offer, bringing people together to address the climate crisis.

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D2025

We were the Executive Producers for the Durham City of Culture 2025 bid, bringing our creative leadership to help shape the campaign and proposed cultural programme.

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Derbyshire Culture

Working with Curated Place, we co-authored Derbyshire’s five-year Cultural Framework (2021-2026). The report celebrates Derbyshire's culture, highlights areas of opportunity and encourages local collaboration.

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Glossop Creates

We kickstarted this creative placemaking programme for Glossopdale's cultural community, and now provide a programme of support for local independent business and creative industries.

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The Bridge

We’re the Creative Directors and Producers for The Bridge – a four-year cultural programme including Stalybridge High Street Heritage Action Zone and Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2022.

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In Tameside

We delivered the new brand and website for Tameside Council's Cultural Services and wider cultural community, including a new collection of Tameside-inspired maker commissions.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT US
what we do

Cultural Strategy. Public art. Artist commissioning. Cultural programming. Curation. Community engagement. Creative industry support. Co-designing futures. Facilitation. Evaluation. Project management. Creative production. Feasibility studies. Fundraising. Policy making.

Local is proud to work in the gaps between sectors, systems and stories, with community at the heart. This is how we grow culture, connection, and collective action that lasts

Claire Tymon

Claire Tymon is a creative entrepreneur and placemaking specialist with over 20 years’ experience shaping inclusive, sustainable communities through culture, design and regeneration. Claire has directed large-scale programmes such as Derbyshire Makes, led feasibility and business planning for the Bolsover Creative Hub, and advised on Greater Manchester’s Creative Improvement District model. Claire has played pivotal roles in UK devolution deals and Arts Council England Place Partnerships, unlocking over £2.85m for culture-led placemaking. Claire completed a PhD at the University of Sheffield, developing a Framework for Creative Civic Engagement.

Caroline Hunter

Caroline Hunter is an experienced operations and finance lead with 20 years’ experience across corporate, cultural and community sectors. As Operations Manager at Local Creative Project Ltd, Caroline oversees finance, contracting, and systems development, ensuring projects are deliverable, inclusive and sustainable. Caroline manages complex budgets, delivery schedules and partner coordination across programmes such as Derbyshire Makes, Glossop Creates and Salford’s Whose Art Whose Culture. Known for her structured thinking and supportive approach, Caroline underpins Local’s ability to deliver impactful, multi-partner programmes with clarity, transparency and care.

Richard Tymon

Richard Tymon is a photographer, filmmaker and creative producer with over a decade of experience capturing the human stories at the heart of culture and place. Based in Glossop, Richard has worked with Factory International, British Council, and Arts Council England, with his work featured in The Guardian, BBC News and The New York Times. As Co-Director at Local, Richard leads on creative direction, photography and digital storytelling, ensuring authenticity, empathy and visual impact underpin every project. He combines artistic craft with technical precision, helping shape Local’s distinctive approach to creative documentation and cultural engagement.

Sophie Glinka

Sophie Glinka is a creative, values-led leader with 20 years’ multi-sector experience supporting communities to shape fairer, more connected places. As Co-Director of our CIC, Sophie brings a collaborative approach to community participation, partnership building and place-based development, working with residents, organisations and local systems to spark collaborative, community-led action. Her background spans charity leadership and senior roles within the NHS, where Sophie focused on strengthening VCSE neighbourhood infrastructure, reducing inequalities and amplifying lived experience. She is committed to culture, connection and locally led change.

Rizwan Iqbal

Rizwan Iqbal is a culturally driven producer and communicator with many years of experience working across arts, community and place-based projects, connecting diverse communities through creativity, storytelling and shared cultural expression. Rizwan has worked with Manchester International Festival, Rochdale’s Culture Coop, the Saudi Biennale, Oldham Coliseum and Salaam Festival, developing projects that celebrate representation and inclusive participation. As Marketing & Engagement Producer at Local, Rizwan leads on audience engagement and communications, ensuring Local’s work reflects the voices, identities and stories of our communities.

Our Wider Team

Local works in collaboration with a trusted team of freelance creatives, producers, facilitators and specialist partners who bring depth, skill and lived experience to every project. This flexible approach allows us to draw on diverse expertise - from artists and designers to community practitioners, researchers and technical specialists - so every programme is delivered with the insight, care and creativity it deserves, whilst ensuring we deliver work that is grounded, inclusive and locally led. Their insight and creativity are integral to how we shape programmes, build relationships and create meaningful impact across the places we serve.

Our team