Cultural Management
Vanessa Garside
Vanessa Garside is an arts practitioner (writer and painter), teacher and events creator, driven by a deep belief in the power of arts and culture to transform communities and support mental wellbeing. As Vanessa says, “Artists create light in the darkness.”
She holds an MA in Arts and Aesthetics from the University of Bristol and has enjoyed a distinguished career in education, including roles as Head of Drama at Bishop Fox’s School, Head of Year at Heathfield School, and Arts Co-ordinator at Richard Huish College, alongside teaching A-level English Language and Literature.
A passionate cultural advocate, Vanessa co-founded Taunton’s much-loved For One Night Only events and spent 14 years representing the UK as President of World Art Games International. She achieved Chartered Manager status with the CMI in 2021.
Currently serving on Taunton Council, and as former Mayor of Taunton (2024–25), Vanessa is focused on positioning Taunton as a UK cultural destination. She is Chair of Southern Sinfonia and a trustee of Taunton Sinfonietta and Taunton Collaborative Arts CIC.
Vanessa believes the people of Taunton deserve an iconic arts centre—one that nurtures local talent and attracts outstanding professional performers to the town.
She holds an MA in Arts and Aesthetics from the University of Bristol and has enjoyed a distinguished career in education, including roles as Head of Drama at Bishop Fox’s School, Head of Year at Heathfield School, and Arts Co-ordinator at Richard Huish College, alongside teaching A-level English Language and Literature.
A passionate cultural advocate, Vanessa co-founded Taunton’s much-loved For One Night Only events and spent 14 years representing the UK as President of World Art Games International. She achieved Chartered Manager status with the CMI in 2021.
Currently serving on Taunton Council, and as former Mayor of Taunton (2024–25), Vanessa is focused on positioning Taunton as a UK cultural destination. She is Chair of Southern Sinfonia and a trustee of Taunton Sinfonietta and Taunton Collaborative Arts CIC.
Vanessa believes the people of Taunton deserve an iconic arts centre—one that nurtures local talent and attracts outstanding professional performers to the town.