Michael Radford - Learning Communities - Midlands
Learning Communities · Midlands
Michael Radford
Michael specialises in connecting educational settings with cultural organisations and artists, supporting with the development of networks and access to creative and cultural resources. With a love for co-creation, Michael provides guidance around developing your network and working collaboratively to problem solve. He is dedicated to removing barriers to creative and cultural opportunities for children and young people. Michael is based in Nottingham and works with schools, youth work settings, cultural organisations and community/grassroots organisations.
How I can help you
- Partnership working: Forming partnerships with nearby institutions and individuals.
- Developing your peer learning community: Expanding and developing your peer learning community.
- Local and National Networks: Ways to build, engage with and expand your networks, on a local and national scale.
- Creative approaches to learning: Hands-on approaches to make learning more engaging.
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“The 1:1 session was so useful in helping me to assess where I am as a facilitator, what my goals are and how I can continue to move on in my career working in partnership with schools and cultural organisations.”
- Freelancer, One-to-one participant
Where I've come from
Where I’ve come from
With ten years of experience working with children, young people and communities in educational and charity settings and cultural organisations, I bring experience in partnerships, co-creation, creative and cultural approaches to learning and engagement, and a passion for fair and equitable access to arts and culture.
My focus has been on delivering high-quality, impactful and meaningful creative engagement which puts youth voice, learning and inclusivity at its core. I have seen throughout my career that arts and culture is at its best when it reflects the fullness and diversity of our society, nurturing children and young people and providing spaces for them to shape their own future.
I joined the Cultural Education Network in 2025 looking for a new way to support colleagues within the sector. Having previously been a senior leader in an arts organisation leading on young peoples and community work, I understood the complex and varied challenges within the sector.
I have enjoyed the new challenge and have loved meeting with a range of freelance creatives and educators, teachers and organisations to find new ways to approach challenges and offer support and guidance.
I have provided guidance and support around such diverse projects, from schools looking for new partnerships and collaborative approaches, organisations developing networks and educational offers, to freelancers exploring new networks, resources and ways to develop and platform their work.
I look forward to meeting with more peers across the sector and providing bespoke support for each individual case. So please get in touch and let’s chat!
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“Michael was very knowledgable and encouraging and his advice was really useful - we wouldn’t have known to look in the places or speak to the people he’s suggested talking to. Thank you.”
- Cultural Organisation, One-to-one participant
