Eleanor Barrett

Background

About Eleanor Barrett

I am a creative producer, artist, and cultural activist with over 25 years’ experience developing large-scale outdoor arts, community co-creation, and participatory projects across the UK and internationally. My practice sits at the intersection of art, activism, and environmental justice, with a focus on creating meaningful public gatherings and installations that spark dialogue, joy, and collective action. I currently work part-time with Emergency Exit Arts (EEA), a leading national outdoor arts organisation, where I contribute to ambitious, co-created projects that connect communities through culture and creativity. Based in Leeds, with regular work in EEA’s London office, I ensure I maintain a national perspective, bringing together diverse voices and experiences across regions. At EEA, I am developing Bluetopia, a participatory outdoor arts project addressing water pollution through theatrical and functional installations that integrate science, engineering, and community co-creation. This project reflects my passion for combining creativity with environmental action, turning compelling art into a call for change. Alongside my role at EEA, I am actively developing my own arts and heritage projects and am seeking freelance work, commissions, collaborations, and new opportunities. I thrive on creating work that is both artistically daring and socially relevant, often exploring themes of climate, community, heritage, and resilience. Core Skills & Experience • Creative direction and artistic production for outdoor and site-specific arts • Community co-creation, participatory practice, and cultural activism • Fundraising, partnership development, and strategic project design • Large-scale public events and immersive installations • Cross-sector collaboration (arts, science, heritage, environment) • Leadership in climate-focused and socially engaged arts Current Focus • Delivering innovative outdoor arts projects with Emergency Exit Arts • Developing Bluetopia as a flagship eco-arts project addressing water pollution • Building new independent projects in arts and heritage • Seeking freelance, collaborative, and commissioned opportunities across the UK