Photo of Clare REddington by Jon Aitken

Clare Reddington

CEO

Clare joined Watershed in 2004, establishing its creative technology programmes including Pervasive Media Studio. She become CEO in 2018. Clare works with industry, academic and creative partners from around the world to champion inclusion, support talent and develop new ideas. Clare is a Visiting Professor at University of the West of England. She is chair of Emma Rice's Wise Children, and a trustee of RSC and British Council.

Email: clare.r@watershed.co.uk
Twitter: @clarered

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“ Watershed and The Art of The Turnaround   ”

Exterior shot of Watershed front door with murals of people across the glass front.
Posted on Thu 18 April by Clare Reddington
Article

In light of the huge challenges that so many arts and culture organisations have faced in recent years, Clare Reddington , Watershed's CEO, shares five ‘rules’ for turning your organisation round.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Watershed and The Art of The Turnaround  &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Watershed Wild and Generous ”

An illustration of the exterior of Watershed building covered in greenery with people swimming in the floating harbour.
Posted on Tue 12 March by Clare Reddington
Article

What will the world want from a cultural venue in a climate crisis?  

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Watershed Wild and Generous&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“  Watershed CEO's Response to Bristol City Council’s Openness funding proposal ”

Exterior shot of Watershed with blue wood panelling displaying the Watershed logo and vinyls of smiling people covering the windows.
Posted on Tue 28 Nov 2023 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, reflects on the proposal and shares the many ways we deliver on the city's mission

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp; Watershed CEO's Response to Bristol City Council’s Openness funding proposal&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Undershed - an immersive gallery for Watershed ”

Lights and glass items are displayed on a counter, people are looking at them and interacting with them.
Posted on Wed 4 Oct 2023 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, Watershed's CEO talks about the plans for Undershed - a new immersive gallery opening downstairs in Watershed in Spring 2024. 

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Undershed - an immersive gallery for Watershed&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ In memory of Trini ”

A woman looks straight into the camera with a smile.
Posted on Tue 1 Aug 2023 by Clare Reddington
Article

With sad hearts we want to acknowledge the death of Adriene Layne or Trini as we knew her. Trini was a member of the Pervasive Media Studio community since 2017, having joined us on a micro residency to develop her Voice Letter prototype into a product, and quickly became a full resident.  

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;In memory of Trini&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Becoming a Living Wage Employer ”

Exterior shot of Watershed Building and the harbour with a yellow ferry boat going past
Posted on Tue 18 July 2023 by Clare Reddington
Article

Watershed is delighted to announce that we are now accredited as a Living Wage Employer, joining a growing list of employers in Bristol striving to drive change and reduce in-work poverty. 

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Becoming a Living Wage Employer&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Packing our rucksack for the next 40 years ”

Adult and child stand looking at posters and a welcome sign
Posted on Wed 7 June 2023 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, Watershed's CEO shares our new values created with our communities.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Packing our rucksack for the next 40 years&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Have your say -  Cultural Investment in Bristol  ”

Crane Dance Bristol by Laura Kriefman. Photo by John Rowley.
Posted on Thu 8 Dec 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

Bristol City Council are currently consulting on cuts to their budget, including proposed cuts to the Cultural Investment Programme.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Have your say -  Cultural Investment in Bristol &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Our toilets are for everyone - and now our newest toilets are finally open!   ”

Entrance to the toilets with a mulit coloured heart - sinks and a window in the background
Posted on Wed 2 Nov 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

It is with great relief and joy that this week we have opened (most of) our new facilities. Situated in the top foyer of Watershed, the new toilets are bright, welcoming and a physical embodiment of our values.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Our toilets are for everyone - and now our newest toilets are finally open!  &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Watershed's Balance and Belonging Data 2022 ”

Two figures balance on a see saw next to a multi coloured heart
Posted on Wed 19 Oct 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

For the second year running we are publishing Balance and Belonging, a report which shares Watershed's Staff, Board & Freelancers Diversity & Inclusion Data for the last year.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Watershed's Balance and Belonging Data 2022&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Celebrating Watershed's 40th Birthday Together   ”

Watershed's 40th birthday colourful logo with dates - 1982 - 2022
Posted on Tue 7 June 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

Today we are celebrating Watershed's 40th birthday - four decades of bringing people together on Bristol's harbourside. 

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Celebrating Watershed's 40th Birthday Together  &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Our toilets are for everyone – so what is the problem?  ”

Donate now
Posted on Fri 29 April 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

Our CEO Clare Reddington updates on our toilet refurbishment plans and some of the feedback we have received

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Our toilets are for everyone – so what is the problem? &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Watershed 40 ”

Watershed's first brochure
Posted on Thu 13 Jan 2022 by Clare Reddington
Article

Watershed celebrates its 40th birthday in 2022 with a programme of events, workshops and celebrations that reflect on the last four decades and looks ahead to the next four.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Watershed 40&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Coming out of lockdown ”

Exterior shot of Watershed in daylight
Posted on Fri 2 April 2021 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, looks ahead to re-opening the building, thanks Arts Council England for their continued support through the Culture Recovery Fund and asks for your help and feedback.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Coming out of lockdown&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Keeping our promises ”

Exterior of Watershed building
Posted on Wed 30 Sept 2020 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, CEO of Watershed reflects on the work we have been doing to realise our Black Lives Matter commitments.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Keeping our promises&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ We're taking a week's rest ”

Sebastián Lelio's A Fantastic Woman (2017)
Posted on Mon 27 July 2020 by Clare Reddington
Article

We're all taking a short break from Mon 3 Aug. Before that our CEO Clare Reddington reflects on what the past few months have been like for us...

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;We're taking a week's rest&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Staying open when your building is not  ”

Exterior of Watershed
Posted on Tue 5 May 2020 by Clare Reddington
Article

Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, reflects on Watershed's experiences of the past seven weeks....

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Staying open when your building is not &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Invention versus innovation - embracing uncertainty ”

Photo of Studio community
Posted on Tue 28 Jan 2020 by Clare Reddington
Article

How do we embrace uncertainty and value the slippy to navigate the conceptual emergency we live in? By Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Invention versus innovation - embracing uncertainty&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ Beyond innovation: understanding Artists as leaders ”

Pervasive Media Studio
Posted on Tue 13 Nov 2018 by Clare Reddington
Article

A short provocation on Artists as Leaders, the difference between innovation and invention and the danger of constraining the latter with the metrics of the former, given at Beyond Conference to launch AHRC's Clusters investments.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;Beyond innovation: understanding Artists as leaders&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ 2017 - the Creative team's Watershed highlights ”

Illustration by Jasmine Thompson, Rife Content Creator
Posted on Fri 8 Dec 2017 by Clare Reddington
Article

Today was the last Creative team* meeting of the year and we shared our 2017 highlights. The range and depth of the team’s selection are a good indication of how amazing this year has been for Watershed, so I thought we should share them:

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;2017 - the Creative team's Watershed highlights&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ What does it all add up to?  ”

Playable City Recife
Posted on Thu 21 Sept 2017 by Clare Reddington
Article

We design our programmes to have local, national and global impact

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;What does it all add up to? &nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>  

“ How we work with artists ”

Bear Abouts photo
Posted on Thu 21 Sept 2017 by Clare Reddington
Article

Watershed's approach is not characterised in a specific project or programme, but an ethos of open-ness, responsibility, partnership and passion.

Read more <span class="card-quote">&ldquo;</span>&nbsp;How we work with artists&nbsp;<span class="card-quote">&rdquo;</span>