Where Are They Now? with Lizzy Whynes

After achieving her Gold and Silver Arts Awards, Lizzy Whynes began her career freelancing as a Theatre Practitioner, and is now an Education Officer at Harrogate Theatre. She speaks to Voice about the impact of the Award, her career, and offers some amazing advice to young people.

Where Are They Now? with Lizzy Whynes

Which level(s) of Arts Award did you do, and how did you use it to develop your creativity or skills?

I have done Silver and Gold Arts Award. It helped me develop my ability to lead a team and my arts management skills, and gave me a platform to experiment with my creativity. 

What are you up to in your creative work at the moment?

After 3 years of freelancing and graduating from York St John University in 2014, I am now the Education Officer at Harrogate Theatre. My job involves working with under 12s, directing, prop & costume making, project management, administration and delivering Arts Award at all levels. I am a very busy theatre practitioner and facilitator.  

What are the highlights of your arts career to date?

During my work placement at York Theatre Royal, I created a main stage performance called Pandora, as part of TakeOver Festival 2016 where I was Artistic Director. I also created a site specific piece called Coal in the Garden as part TakeOver Festival 2015 that was inspired by the Garden Exhibit in the National Railway Museum. I have taken work on tour around the UK with a variety of different York based Theatre companies and have performed in many pieces of contemporary work. 

What do you hope to be doing in five years time?

I hope to be doing more of the same in five years time. I like telling stories through theatre and dance. I hope to be doing this with a variety of different people as stories are important to the world. 

What was your first step after finishing your Arts Award that helped you get where you are today?

My Gold Arts Award help me gain more freelance work that boosted my CV, helping me ultimately acquire my job today. 

What advice would you give to young people doing Arts Award who want to follow in your footsteps?

Ask lots of questions. Don’t be scared to get involved in new things and do your own thing. Learn lots of different skills. Go and see lots of work. Go with your gut feeling. If you work hard you will get rewarded. 


Grow your own talents, explore the arts, be a creative leader and get yourself a qualification. You can do an Arts Award in any area of the arts from fashion to poetry, rapping to dancing, sculpture to film. Read more about it here. 

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