Michael Powell is a socially engaged artist, practitioner and creative producer. He currently leads on Programming and Partnerships, in particular on This is Nelson; the arts and engagement strand of the Nelson town deal.

This includes developing and delivering collaborative programmes of creative activity led by and alongside local people, planning and producing creative projects with artists and finding ways to embed art and creative processes into civic decision making, to advocate for greater democratic engagement and to amplify and support community interests.

Michael’s journey at In-Situ began as artist working on This is Nelson in 2022. His own practice is grounded in working creatively with people and place, often creating illustrations of alternative worlds made up of hybrid creatures, inspired by a love of story, folklore and the power of the radical imagination.