Jo Kay’s background is as an audience development specialist. She has over 20 years’ experience of supporting organisations in the arts, heritage and cultural sector to put audiences at the heart of their planning. Her range of experience is wide: she’s worked throughout the UK, and across artforms. Her expertise in audience insight, audience development strategy and workshop facilitation has helped organisations of all shapes and sizes - from volunteer-run festivals to Council-run arts centres, national museums to individual musicians - to understand, grow, and connect with their audiences.

Jo was part of the small team who set up Manchester Folk Festival. For its first three years she was the marketing and audience development lead, and alongside this ran the social media communications for English Folk Expo.

Currently a full-time family carer, she has first-hand experience of the challenges that older adults with complex needs face in accessing cultural provision. She has a particular interest in the role of the arts in enriching the lives of people living with dementia. 

Jo is a Sacred Harp singer, craft enthusiast and lover of folk music.

Jo is our Trustee Champion for Audiences.