New Steering Group members for Culture Counts

In October 2024 we launched a new round of recruitment to Culture Counts’ Steering Group. The Steering Group provides direction to Culture Counts, shares intelligence, and provides insight from their own membership, networks and experience. After a rigorous round of recruitment, we are delighted to announce six new appointments to the Steering Group:

  • Arusa Qureshi. Arusa is a writer, editor and music programmer based in Edinburgh. She is the current Editor of Fest and the former Editor of The List and writes mostly about music, most recently Flip the Script – a book about women in UK hip hop, published by 404 Ink. Her work has appeared in the Scotsman, Clash, the Guardian, GoldFlakePaint, Time Out, the Quietus, NME and more. She chairs the board of the Scottish Music Centre, sits on the board of the Music Venue Trust and is the co-curator of the award-winning Amplifi series at Edinburgh's Queens Hall.

  • Dougie Lonie. Dougie is Co-Director of Dundee-based Tialt - There is an Alternative, working across the creative and cultural sectors in Scotland, the UK and internationally to develop inclusive and creative approaches to research and evaluation. He specialises in social impact studies, exploring the intersection of culture and creativity with individual and community wellbeing. For over 20 years he has worked across sectors and disciplines to develop a deep knowledge of the value of cultural policy and programmes.  

  • Graeme Howell. Graeme is the Chief Executive of Shetland Arts Development Agency running venues promoting performances, and exhibitions as well as delivering creative education and sector support in one of Scotland’s most remote locations.  Passionate about access and inclusion Graeme has experience of creating impact across a number of key agendas including wellbeing, community wealth building, tourism, education, placemaking and research.

  • Ica Headlam. Ica is a Creative Practitioner from London who moved to Aberdeen in 2004. Prior to that, he was a qualified children and families social worker with 10 years of experience supporting vulnerable young adults, and families across Aberdeen. Ica independently produces and hosts the Creative Me Podcast, a fortnightly show that explores creativity, art, and culture in the North East of Scotland, with the aim of drawing a wider focus on Aberdeen's creative community. Ica is the founder of We Are Here Scotland, a non-profit organisation that aims to amplify the voices of Black and Global Majority artists and creatives across Scotland. Ica is a strong advocate for representation across the arts and values the importance of open and honest dialogue.

  • Katharine Wheeler. Based in rural southwest Scotland, Katharine brings 20 years of professional practice focussing on the civic role of culture in community-led change; creative placemaking. She trained in visual and community arts, recently completing a post grad in Arts and Social Practice, has been part of shaping The Stove Network since 2015, developing their regional work with communities, and is the independent Chair for Dumfries and Galloway’s newly established Cultural Partnership. She works to build collaborative frameworks that support creative grassroots approaches as part of long-term system change.

  • Veronique AA Lapeyre. Scottish-Mauritian Veronique is a highly specialised communications and digital strategist, with over 15 years’ experience working at a senior-level across the public sector, cultural and commercial companies based in Scotland with a global reach. Veronique is currently the Head of Communications & Digital at Craft Scotland, is a member of Museum Detox and sits on the Goldsmiths’ Center (London) Community Advisory Group focusing on broadening access amongst young people and underrepresented communities. 

These members bring new areas of insight and experience, and will join the existing Steering Group membership, who are:

  • Lori Anderson - Festivals Edinburgh

  • Barbara Burke - National Library of Scotland

  • Steve Byrne (replacing David Francis) - Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland

  • Diarmid Hearns - National Trust for Scotland

  • Helen Moore (replacing Moira Jeffrey) - Scottish Contemporary Art Network

  • Fiona Sturgeon Shea (Chair) - Federation of Scottish Theatre

Three of our existing Steering Group members will be stepping down between now and the spring. We thank David Francis, Moira Jeffrey and Marion Sinclair for their many years of wise council, support and leadership, and wish them well on their next adventures.

Kathryn Welch