Catherine Mugonyi

Catherine is one of the founding directors of Aunty Social. 

A long-time resident of Blackpool, she specialises in organising and coproducing events and projects that strengthen engagement between marginalised communities, local history and the arts. Catherine looks after Aunty’s finances, governance strategy and creative programme (including Blackpool Film Festival).

For her ‘day job’, Catherine is a freelancer who loves to work on projects that connect local residents, artists and academics to explore ways that people can develop their creativity while exploring and celebrating culture. She is particularly interested in cultural strategy, community organising, liberation practice and building systems that underpin more equitable alternative futures. She also works as a freelancer producer for theatre, film and arts projects.

She is a Clore Fellow and a member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North Committee; making funding decisions, advising on priorities and providing local perspective to the Board. 

Catherine has previously been a Trustee of Creative Lives and spent 10 years working in local government on equality, partnerships, service access and community engagement. Formerly Catherine was the 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. 

In her free time Catherine loves restoring her extensive collection of analogue projectors sourced from second hand shops, skips and the local tip. She also loves to visit historic sites (especially stone circles), exploring folk traditions and dabbles in the textile arts: currently making her first Viking kit using traditional materials and techniques.