Jo Kay is a freelance audience development specialist. She works with arts organisations to understand who their audiences really are, who they realistically could be, and how to connect with them. Working in the arts and cultural sector for 20 years, Jo’s experience covers organisations of all different shapes and sizes and spans artforms.

She was part of the small team who set up Manchester Folk Festival. For its first three years she was the marketing and audience development lead, and alongside this ran the social media communications for English Folk Expo. An accredited Action Learning Facilitator, and Chair of The Atkinson Development Trust in Southport, Jo is also a keen folk music fan, craft enthusiast and Sacred Harp singer.

Jo is our Trustee Champion for Audiences