About us
Sparking Creativity and Change for over 20 years in Leicester and beyond…
Who we are
Based in the heart of Leicester’s cultural quarter, we’re an arts organisation with over twenty years’ experience. We help children immerse themselves in the arts in a variety of places and spaces. We offer children opportunities to discover their skills, passions and potential – both as an audience or participants.
We commission and we produce ambitious, high-quality quality experiences that are led by diversity and innovation; we organise a bold and imaginative children’s arts festival; and we champion local cultural activity so that children in the region can thrive!
And we do all of this through the Vital Spark movement and with the help of The Spark’s amazing Child Action Group.
Vital Spark
We believe that all children should be able to experience arts and culture, and that they should be able to see themselves represented in these experiences. This is not yet the case for every child and we’re committed to changing that. Our response is the ‘Vital Spark’ movement.
Vital Spark is about challenging and changing the lack of diversity in children’s arts and culture. We do this by supporting artists who are currently underrepresented in children’s arts and culture. We also work with partner organisations to create world-class opportunities for these artists and share best practice.
Child Action Group
Our new Child Action Group, formed of 9-13 year olds, meet regularly to tell us what we should be doing, when we should be doing it, and how we can offer the best quality.
Over the Summer of 2023 they will create their own group name and appoint the facilitator they want to work with in the sessions.
The monthly creative sessions are free and enable children and young people to steer our work and hold the adults who make decisions to account.
We will share this progress publicly through our Ambition and Quality Manifesto, to help shape a more relevant and inclusive arts sector for children and young people.
Our history
‘The Spark Children’s Arts Festival’ began in 2003, run by a consortium of five local theatre venues, supported by Leicester and Leicestershire Arts in Education, and led by Loughborough Town Hall. Their mission was to present some of the best British and international children’s theatre and dance companies to local children. The first festival ran for eight days, presented seventy events, and was seen by an audience of 9,500 children, teachers and parents.
In 2004, we became an independent company and a registered charity. With funding from Arts Council England, we expanded our activity outside of the festival. Six years later, we were awarded ‘Regularly Funded Organisation’, becoming a ‘National Portfolio Organisation’ soon after that. The company was renamed as ‘The Spark Arts for Children’ in 2013 to reflect the growing amount of year-round work we did outside the festival.
The team
I’m a Co-Creation specialist who trained at East 15 Acting School and on the National Theatre Studio Directors Course. I was the Founding Artistic Director and CEO Warts and All Theatre.
As well as directing theatre, I have worked as a co-creation consultant, coach, producer, project manager and facilitator.
From co-creating work with and for young people, my practice was highlighted by Theatre Royal Plymouth as a model of excellence during the initial creation, evaluation and testing phase of Arts Council England's 7 Quality Principles.
I enjoy working with driven, creative, entrepreneurial teams who are ambitious and embrace Radical Candour.
I’ve made theatre for church halls, community centres, theatres, basements, Kew Gardens, Drama Schools, Delapre Abbey, Royal & Derngate, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Chichester Festival Theatre, Curve-Leicester, The Castle- Wellingborough, The Point- Eastleigh, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and at Almeida Theatre in London, where I was the Participation Associate: Young Artists.
I'm creative Director at Daryl & Co, we are a Disabled-led children's theatre company where collaboration and co-creation meet mischief and merriment. We make accessible theatre to delight young audiences and their families, and we tour across the globe. Our vision is a world where Disabled artists and young people have unrestricted choices to creative experiences and careers.
I’ve been a Director and Performer working extensively within the Theatre, Disability and young people’s arts sector for the last 25 years. Some say I’m a recognised cultural leader in youth arts participation as well as a high-profile advocate for disabled artists. I say I’m an active advocate for improving the rights of disabled and vulnerable people by promoting access and inclusion within the arts.
The main thing about me is that I take fun seriously. Working nationally and internationally, I create colourful and entertaining children's shows that challenge exclusion and champion equality. At Daryl & Co we are generous and playful in how we work. To us, the ‘& Co’ is just as important as the ‘Daryl’.
I have worked with young people and artists in the arts and cultural sector for over 18 years, working with organisations such as The Mighty Creatives and Creative Partnerships before joining The Spark in April 2023. In my previous role from 2015 - 2023 I was the lead for the Artsmark programme across the East Midlands, supporting hundreds of schools and education settings in the region to embed arts, culture and creativity across their whole curriculum and to recognise the powerful impact that arts and creativity can have in education.
My background is in visual arts, having trained in ceramics originally, and I am passionate about the place that arts and culture has to play in transforming and enriching people’s lives, in particular those who are most disadvantaged. Inspired by my previous work with SEND schools and Early Years settings, child-centred practice is at the heart of all my work, and I strongly believe in the importance of listening to children and supporting their voice and agency.
I’m the Company Administrator with a background of HR and Finance working within the Charity sector. I previously worked for Guide Dogs within HR & Volunteering recruiting nationally, implementing new systems and of course getting cuddles from dogs in training.
Being a mum myself I attended several Spark sessions before starting to work with The Spark watching ‘Stickman’ in children centres and libraries which inspired me to work with the Organisation when the role came up. I enjoy working in the background and making the Finance and HR systems work and liaising with various artists, people etc. But the joy that arts bring to a child is what I love to see the most.
I lead on the nuts and bolts in making The Spark's theatre productions and festival events happen. I'm passionate about supporting artists to create new shows for children which makes families guffaw in amazement, in the hope that they will either think about the world differently, or simply have the time of their life. Previous to working at the Spark I led the Creative Learning and Programming team at Stratford Circus Arts Centre. My practise revolves around empowering others through creativity, to raise aspirations, and to help people to be the best they can be.
Trina is the Founder and Artistic Director of national touring company Mashi Theatre and former Associate Director: Festival and Programming at The Spark Arts for Children in Leicester. As a Freelancer she works as a Director, Facilitator, Consultant in Diversity, Equality & Inclusion and is also a Giggle Doctor with the Theodora Children’s Charity.
Directing credits include productions at Polka Theatre, Derby Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Tara Arts, Curve Theatre, Soho Theatre and Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai, India. She was awarded the Naseem Khan commission with Curve, Bristol Old Vic and The Lowry.
Trina is a former participant with the National Theatre – Step Change programme, The Optimists with China Plate and a Clore50 SC Alumni. She consults with Theatres and consortium to increase representation on and off our stages and has spoken at a number of platforms including the Guardians “Our Nations Theatre” conversations with Lyn Gardner and on Radio 4s Front Row programme.
Trina is Co-Chair of the board of international touring, Pilot Theatre (York), former board of Trustees for Theatre-Rites (London) and Advisor to Baboró International Arts Festival for Children (Galway).
As a Woven Textile Design graduate, I had my first experience working for a charity early in my career as a volunteer designer working with hill tribe weavers on the Doi Tung Project, a UNDCP programme for the rehabilitation of the Golden Triangle in Thailand. When I returned to the UK my career path led me to working in Fashion Retail at Paul Smith Ltd where I began as the Chairman’s Office Assistant and progressed as a Merchandiser.
I continued my journey as a Merchandiser working with smaller organisations and start-ups, but after having my first child I decided to move away from Retail. I moved to the not-for-profit sector, which is where I have remained and gained a broad skillset and experience supporting all aspects of office management, from Board Governance to HR to Finance. I haven't looked back since and have dedicated my working life to making sure small charities can flourish and thrive. I am delighted to be working in the Arts & Culture sector, bridging my experiences back to my creative beginnings.
Ay up duck! (Stokie slang) I was born in Stoke-on-Trent. Home of pottery, oatcakes and mediocre football teams. A degree in Film Studies didn't lead me to a career of writing for Sight and Sound or becoming best mates with Steven Spielberg, sadly. I've watched Jurassic Park so many times. While not the best degree if you want to persue a career in Film I did get to watch a lot of movies. Some of my favourites - Rashōmon, There Will Be Blood, Alien, Lost In Translation to name a few.
Being a relatively new industry, it's only been around since the late 1800s, meant that we did a lot of reading around it. philosophy, psychology, psychoanalysis, history - my essay on female bodies in science fiction was a real hit. In the final year I wrote a feature length script about a Riot Girl band in the early 90s. I was really into Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill at the time.
Jack of all trades, master of none here.
After university I signed on at the jobcentre for a week and got my first 'proper job' at Waterstones as a Christmas Temp. I must have enjoyed it because I was there for 14 years. Moving through the ranks and ending as a manager. Needless to say I do a lot of reading. I had some great experiences. Being involved in literary festivals, brushing shoulders with authors, talking to publishers. You wear a lot of hats as a bookseller. But nothing beats putting a copy of a book into a customers hand for it to become their absolute favourite. You didn't ask but my favourite book is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micheal Chabon.
I don't have a traditional background in Marketing or the Arts so I'm hoping to bring a different perspective to The Spark. That or they've made a huge mistake. I'm sure they haven't. My friends and family are convinced I'll be brilliant. What was I saying... oh yeah. A different perspective. So, I'm hoping to bring my passion for storytelling and my background in bookselling to The Spark Arts. As well as having a lot of fun along the way.
I've told you about the bookselling thing and film which means I love stories and storytelling. And that's what my job here is. I basically get to tell stories and talk to cool people about art all day. I know, right! Which brings me to my love of Music. Another great method of telling stories. Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple. All great storytellers. On a side note if anyone can get me tickets to the Era's Tour that would be amazing.
I think that's about everything. If you ever find yourself wanting to debate film theory or you need a music recommendation let me know.
Sam is an international award-winning dramaturg, director, librettist, and co-creator with a deep passion for co-creation, climate focused arts practice, and creative democracy. He recently wrote a full-length opera with Laura Bowler, to be directed by Jude Christian, The Girl with a Hurricane Brain, built through eco-anxiety workshops with children around the world. Recently he co-created HOME:Zero, an interactive family theatre installation on sustainability with Nottingham families, Lakeside Arts Nottingham, Makers of Imaginary Worlds for The National Gallery & NESTA.
He is currently producing the Royal Exchange Theatre’s radically community co-created Den Festival in Rochdale and Our Room’s Social Script programme, working on a new opera co-created with the Royal Opera House’s Young Opera Company, writing his first novels, and is funded by Julie’s Bicycle and Arts Council England to investigate community empowerment as a model of Environmentally Sustainable Deep Touring with international partners.
As co-founder of Knaïve Theatre he co-wrote and performed the world-touring, multi-international award-winning Bin Laden: The One Man Show; dramaturged several pieces including War With The Newts (Lustrum Award for Outstanding Theatre); and wrote an interactive, online, game-based environmental schools piece, Antarctica.
He is Associate Artist (Dramaturgy) of Smoking Apples Theatre Company whose Kinder won Ettie and Offie Awards for Theatre for Young Audiences in 2023.
Recent dramaturgy includes: Joshua Val Martin’s Today The Streets Are Ours for Royal Exchange Theatre, Alex Oates’s The Filleting App (RSC’s 37 Plays); Laura Bowler’s Distance with Juliet Fraser and Advert with Decoder Ensemble.
Libretti include: Samhain Bloom (Edward Shilts), Tiresias 2.0 (Dominic Matthews), Cummings & Goerings (Zhenyan Li) and Women Conduct (Laura Bowler).
Directing credits include: Bermondsey 1983 by Rob Reid Allan and Gareth Mattey, Cupboard Love by Madeleine Dring and The Operatists, GOLD, Antarctica, and FFF (movement direction) by Laura Bowler, Module 471 by Lucy Mulgan and The Operatists, The Macclefield Potatot Riot with the community in Macclesfield, and Dead Tree Gives No Shelter by Bysshe Inigo Coffey and company.
The Trustees
Mike Candler is an experienced Cultural Planner with over 40 years’ experience in the voluntary and public arts sectors. Committed to diversity, inclusion, and equality in culture he has provided leadership across both revenue and capital programmes. Mike was previously Leicester City Councils Cultural Project Director and is currently Arts Manager for London Borough of Camden where he is leading work on a range of partnership and cultural development programmes.
I am a freelance consultant working in the Arts and Cultural sector. I have over 30 years’ experience in development and leadership roles across a diverse range of settings, including educational, not-for-profit, and commercial. I am an experienced fundraiser at local, regional, and national level and I have worked with a diverse group of individuals and organisations. I am also a coach and mentor to experienced and emerging artists. I have spent my career supporting artists and practitioners and developing my passion for participatory and social engaged work. I attended my first Spark festival with my daughter Jess aged 2 years (she is now 22!) and my last in 2023 with my great niece Lottie.
As well as a trustee of The Spark Arts for Children and I am a member of the advisory board for Sidekick Dance Company a learning disabled dance company based in Leicester, and the Executive Director of Hubbub Theatre a learning disabled company based in Derby.
When I am not working with artists and cultural organisations I am planning Weddings and Naming Ceremonies as a qualified Celebrant!
More information coming soon.
I am a disabled artist with over 30 years’ of experience in theatre. I am currently the Artist Development Manager for Graeae, Co-Director of Meander Theatre Co, and in my recent past worked as an Agent For Change with Ramps On The Moon and for 20 years as Associate Artist with Bamboozle Theatre. Trained in Theatre Design. I have with, absolute glee, devised, directed and designed theatre alongside Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creatives throughout my career. My focus is on creating accessible structures for theatre making whoever I work alongside. Regularly working as an access consultant or Disability Equality trainer my past clients include, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, Level Centre, Bold Text, Egg Box, Carbon, Ditto, Grizzly Bear and Major Labia Theatre companies.
I am London born, emigrated to Leicester in 1982 to study for my first degree at De Montfort University. Work, business, wife, family, and cats have kept me in Leicester.
I am one of nine kids, the middle child and rumoured to be the cutest. I initially qualified as a teacher, worked in education before moving into Industry to work as an accountant. Five years later I left industry as a qualified accountant, and a few other bits of paper along the way.
1995 was the year I made the leap and started my own businesses, I Hate Numbers. My back bedroom, which I shave moved away from was the start of that business journey.
On the International front I have carried out and been involved with several projects, in counties such as Russia, Cuba, Tanzania, Kenya and the Seychelles.
I have been actively involved in the governance of arts and educational establishments across the East Midlands and beyond and involved in the charitable and creative and cultural sectors for over 40 years, in a working, professional and voluntary capacity.
I am passionate about making arts and creativity accessible to all, and to ensure we offer opportunities for anyone to engage with words and creativity, especially for those that may feel that arts are not for them, as I believe it can change people’s lives. In my current role as General Manager at Nottingham City of Literature, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, my work encourages reading and writing for pleasure, and to make the world better with words, particularly for young people.
I am keen to promote people-centred environments, spaces for collaboration and co-production working closely with all people. I have over 15 years experience working in the arts sector in Mexico and the UK, at Tequila Jose Cuervo Cultural Division, The Mighty Creatives and Attenborough Arts Centre. I also have a PhD on learning dialogue in contemporary art museums, and have specialised in audience development and evaluation.
