OUR TEAM
CORE TEAM
Deasy Bamford
Co-founding director
Collaborates closely with Vandna to provide consultancy services focused on advancing diversity within the sector, serving as a crucial bridge between artists and esteemed venues, festivals, organisations, and educational institutions, facilitating bookings and partnerships within the South West. Deasy is a mentor for our artists, nurturing their growth by honing industry skills, securing funding, and fostering valuable connections. With a strong commitment to the community, Deasy has also established the Bristol Refugee Festival and Imalya, and is currently in the process of founding an organisation in Cornwall dedicated to championing diverse artists.
Vandna Mehta
Co-founder and artistic director
Leads the charge in diversifying the sector through her proactive engagement efforts. She actively forges and strengthens connections with local communities, venues, organisations, and festivals to create opportunities for the Diverse Artists Network and to change representation within the sector. In 2024, Vandna will be moving to Artistic Director for Diaspora, the network’s annual city-wide festival. Her contributions extend to the founding of Vocalise, a significant community magazine in the heart of St Pauls, and she also holds the role of Community Engagement Officer for the Bristol Refugee Festival.
Jess Neill
Interim company manager
Jess is a freelance writer, producer and funeral celebrant, who has lived in Bristol for 16 years. Having first joined DAN in May as Producer for the inaugural DIASPORA! festival, her current role is Interim Project Manager. From now until autumn, Jess will help to establish a new membership scheme and agency, and ensure important policies and procedures are in place. In this way she is helping DAN be more fit for the future, so it can continue to help Bristol’s marginalised artists be seen, heard and paid.
Morayo Omogbenigun
Administrator
Morayo initially took an interest in racial justice as a Research Assistant on a Research Action for Race Equality (RACE) project led by the Black South West Network (BSWN) mapping racial justice organisations in Bristol while studying for her Social Policy degree from the University of Bristol in 2021. Her dissertation focused on decolonisation practices within the University of Bristol. After graduating in 2022, she worked as a Project Officer for BSWN on the Commission for Race Equality, housing policy and the UnMuseum programme, alongside working on the Bristol Legacy Foundation part-time. As of February 2024, Morayo began working for the Bristol Legacy Foundation as the Project Coordinator, focusing on public art, reparatory justice and memorialisation projects around the city. She was the administrator for DIASPORA! festival ran by DAN, and is now supporting administration and learning more about event production.
Giulia Bernacchi
communications co-ordinator
Oversees Social Media and Administration at the Diverse Artists Network. Within this capacity, Giulia manages the network’s vibrant social media presence, oversees newsletters, and handles crucial administrative tasks. She serves as a valuable point of contact for artists, venues, and organisations looking to promote their opportunities. In her other job, Giulia supports Booty Bass and Ngaio Anyia as a dedicated Personal Assistant, overseeing bookings at renowned venues and festivals.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROSCO
Rosco spent years honing his legal expertise, but ultimately found his true calling in arts administration. Today, Rosco stands at the forefront of the environmental movement, leveraging the power of art to drive change. His belief in the transformative potential of creativity fuels his advocacy for environmental causes and as an EDI specialist.
Dr. Roz Stewart-Hall
Dr. Roz’s career spans over three decades. Driven by a passion for inclusivity, she now pioneers cutting-edge approaches to evaluation across disciplines and art forms. Collaborating with renowned organisations such as Tate and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Dr. Roz continues to shape the landscape of cultural impact assessment. Her work is not only a testament to her expertise but also a beacon for a more inclusive and equitable arts community.
Penny Caffrey
For two decades, Penny has been weaving together communities through her choreography and performances, co-founding the Charity Movema in 2009. Her work transcends stages, bringing empowerment and a voice to underrepresented communities. Penny has an extensive background in theatre, education, and community arts, and uses the power of movement to forge connections and break down barriers.
Sachin Babbar
Sachin, a Punjabi-British visual and dance artist in Bristol, explores joyful, authentic expression through movement. His project, Moving Ink, paints live dancers, drawing from Japanese Sumi-e ink’s fluidity. With a background in economics, he also works as a financial strategist, blending artistry and analysis for sustainable business strategies. |
Oneil Ashley
After 30+ years in Bristol, Oneil has built a powerful community network, merging music composition with strategic, high-level collaborations. Known for visionary thinking, he excels in networking, problem-solving, and ambitious goal-setting. Driven by big dreams, he aims to be an Ultrapreneur, leaving a lasting entrepreneurial legacy through impactful projects.
FRIENDS OF DAN
Ruth Pitter
Yoma Smith
Natalie Hyacinth
LaToyah Mcalister
Sarah James
James Nissen
Ari Rox
Eloise Tong
Take a look at all the people and partners we’ve worked with, here.
OUR NEWSLETTER
Our monthly newsletter is packed with funding opportunities, jobs and commissions, workshops, and classes to support you as an artist or musician. Each edition also spotlights an artist, offering a window into their journey. Sign up to stay connected, and become part of the Diverse Artists Network community!