ABOUT US

Cultural Democracy is a Creative organisation, that specialises in socially engaged arts practice, consultancy & evaluation, founded by Lynsey O’Sullivan.

Cultural Democracy aims to advocate for values led approaches & socially engaged practice in relation to work with communities, children and young people in the Arts & Creative sector.

Lynsey is an Applied Theatre practitioner, Arts Leader & Coach who has worked extensively with young people & communities across Greater Manchester and internationally.

Lynsey was previously in the role of Executive Director of Learning & Engagement at The Lowry- transforming the organisation’s work over the past 10 years with Young Carers, Looked After Children & wider communities with a strategic focus on diversifying the audiences & communities accessing cultural opportunities.

Prior to this, Lynsey was an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire and undertook postgraduate MA research in Applied Theatre at The University of Manchester.

Since being established in 2022, Cultural Democracy has supported a range of organisations in their strategic development around community & young peoples engagement, Safeguarding, Evaluation & Impact, Coaching, Artist & Practitioner training and Audience development.

Lynsey often collaborates with other Artists and practitioners to make new work, to deliver socially engaged projects or to co-lead cultural organisations/networks.

Cultural Democracy also supports a pool of socially engaged artists who are trained and mentored by the organisation. Cultural Democracy can then connect these artists to opportunities or requests to deliver high quality projects or programmes.

Lynsey is a member of the Clore Leadership and STRIDE Women in Leadership programmes.

Cultural Democracy is made up of Lynsey alongside a number of regular Creative Associates, who are listed below.

CREATIVE ASSOCIATES

Caz Brader

Caz Brader

Minty Barlow

Minty Barlow

Andy Smith

Andy Smith



  • “Lynsey was able to sensitively and expertly support our organisation to navigate change. Her vast experience and commitment to best practice has led us to a new strategy for our Engagement work that we’re really excited to deliver”