Catherine Mugonyi is a Director and founder of Aunty Social, a grassroots mixed arts organisation that provides accessible, participatory arts activities on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast with a particular focus on socially engaged work. Catherine loves connecting with local residents, artists and academics to explore ways that people can develop their creativity and celebrate their culture. She especially enjoys programming film events and supporting the volunteer-run online magazine Blackpool Social Club which keeps people on the Fylde Coast up to date with hyperlocal arts and culture news.
Catherine is a member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North Committee, making funding decisions, advising on priorities and providing local perspective to the Board. As a freelancer, Catherine specialises in organising and coproducing events and projects that strengthen engagement between marginalised communities, local history and the arts. Previously Catherine was Creative Programmer at the Harris, a museum, library and art gallery in Preston, planning activities that encouraged people to explore their creativity as well as the Harris’ extensive collections. She also spent 10 years at Blackpool Council as Equality and Community Engagement Officer, working with marginalised communities to improve policy, service access and employment opportunity issues.