FERNANDA PRATA
Arts Leader|Curator|Artist Development Mentor

I am an Arts Leader, Curator, Artist Development Mentor and Performance Practitioner with over twenty years of experience across dance, theatre, interdisciplinary arts and higher education.
My practice sits at the intersection of artistic excellence, curatorial vision and human development. Throughout my career, I have worked internationally as a performer, choreographer, educator, producer and creative leader, collaborating with organisations including Punchdrunk, the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, Jasmin Vardimon Company, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds Art Gallery.
Alongside my artistic practice, I design and lead programmes that support artists, students and creative organisations to flourish. I am passionate about creating environments where people feel safe to take risks, discover their voice and realise their creative potential. My work combines strategic thinking with deep care for the individual, enabling artists and communities to grow with confidence, curiosity and purpose.
As a curator and programmer, I develop projects that bring together performance, visual art, participation and interdisciplinary practice. I am particularly interested in work that challenges conventional boundaries, amplifies diverse perspectives and creates meaningful connections between artists, audiences and place.
My approach is informed by extensive experience in performance-making, leadership, mentorship and artistic research, including my doctoral research exploring embodied knowledge, presence and creative agency within contemporary performance practices.
Whether I am leading programmes, curating projects, mentoring artists or developing new creative initiatives, I am committed to supporting bold ideas, nurturing talent and creating meaningful encounters between artists, audiences and communities.