Lizzie Clapham was a founding director of The Laal Collective. She passed suddenly in November 2023 leaving a huge hole in our hearts and a piece missing in The Laal Collective that we can never fill.
Lizzie was funny, passionate, kind and empathetic. She originally trained as a Primary school teacher and volunteered for Durham Theatre Company. This led to her working with CTC (formerly Cleveland Theatre Company) as administrator and General Manager, where she managed operations and co-ordinated the delivery of over 200 arts projects.
After working as a freelance project manager for a number of years, Lizzie went on to work as an Arts Development Officer in a Local Authority. She worked most recently on music projects for young people in challenging circumstances.
Alongside her work in the arts, Lizzie worked in the Voluntary Sector as a finance officer and volunteer centre manager. At the time of her passing she was working as a volunteer development officer promoting volunteering and helping organisations to develop good practice in volunteer management.
As well as a director of The Laal Collective, she was first and foremost our friend. She grounded us, organised us, made us laugh and loved us. As we loved her.
Lizzie’s partner Paul and daughter Ellie will always be in our thoughts. As will Lizzie.
Hello and welcome to the website for The Laal Collective CIC.
We are an arts organisation based in Cumbria. ‘Laal’ which means little in the Cumbrian dialect, is committed to delivering high quality arts projects working in partnership with artists and participants.
Our philosophy and practice are that artists and partners work together as co-creators, regardless of age, ability, and experience. We believe passionately in the practice of supporting people to develop their creative ideas and to bring them into reality, working to the highest possible standard.
The Laal Collective CIC is a Registered Company (13115666) with not for profit objects.
The Laal Collective was formed in 2021 by Directors Ali McCaw, Vicki Maxfield and Lizzie Clapham. The Directors collectively have over 80 years of professional experience in developing, delivering, managing and evaluating arts projects; from in school workshops to large scale celebratory events and exhibitions.
Ali and Vicki are The Laal Collective’s creative leads. They previously worked together for 10 years developing a studio theatre programme for adults with learning disabilities in Carlisle and the West Coast while working at Prism Arts. They also have many years experience creating projects in schools for early years through to Year 6. With specialisms in puppetry, theatre, and arts projects, Ali and Vicki have created projects in a variety of places including swimming pools, climbing walls, quarries, nature reserves and historic buildings.
Lizzie has a background in arts project management as a Theatre Company Manager, Arts Development Officer and most recently as a Volunteer Development Officer.
The Laal Collective works with a number of Associate Artists and supports the development of local emerging artists through volunteer placements, training and provision of opportunities.
All our Artists have enhanced DBS checks. The Company has appropriate policies and procedures and insurances.
About Us
