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Meet Zoe.
Zoe Bottrell is the Managing Director of Culture Creative, an international consultancy, project and creative production management company based in Alnwick, Northumberland in England.
In our interview, I created Zoe's fantasy cultural year. Expect surprises, anecdotes, laughter and conversational detours.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Zoe has built Culture Creative into a globally recognised company, working across the UK, Europe, Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.
Specialising in site-specific projects in heritage and landscape settings, Culture Creative has developed an impressive portfolio of work, including lighting, dance, and performance-led events, as well as offering consultancy services.
Zoe's professional journey began with 15 years in public sector roles, working in culture and regeneration departments across Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Northumberland, and Tyne & Wear.
She has held leadership positions with responsibility for leisure, regeneration, and cultural departments, and has contributed to sports and tourism initiatives.
Since founding Culture Creative in 2004, Zoe has overseen numerous high-profile projects in partnership with heritage organisations and public sector bodies.
Her expertise lies in delivering contemporary art projects in heritage and landscape environments, often in challenging locations.
With a deep understanding of strategic project management, Zoe's role spans the entire project lifecycle, from conception and planning to execution, marketing, and financial management.
Her leadership has enabled Culture Creative to work in a range of settings, from Brisbane to Los Angeles, particularly in botanical gardens and heritage landscapes.
Known for her ability to tackle complex, technical projects, Zoë is a respected figure in the cultural sector, consistently pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in creative production.
Here is a summary of our interview ...
Zoe Bottrell’s Fantasy Cultural Year.
Mark, the founder of the Arts and Culture Network, introduced Zoe Bottrell, Managing Director of Culture Creative, to the group. Based in Scotland but running her business in northeast England, Zoe discussed Culture Creative's focus on outdoor events in heritage and landscape settings.
Mark led a lively discussion to help Zoe create her "fantasy cultural year," starting with her admiration for Blenheim Palace as her favourite building.
Zoe shared her fantasy of a year-long sabbatical in Japan, where she hopes to explore arts and culture, supported by a fictitious British Family Foundation. They also reminisced about Zoe’s childhood love of collecting Ladybird books.
During this imaginary journey, Zoe agreed to a challenge: limiting her music listening to classical for an entire year. Her ideal welcome to Tokyo involved attending a dance event and dinner with young cultural professionals, accompanied by her favourite gin and tonic from Scotland’s Carun Distillery.
Mark and Zoe bonded over their mutual appreciation of the iconic Riverdance, discussing its impact and financial success. Zoe expressed her admiration for the troupe’s precision, echoing Mark’s experience of seeing the original performance in London.
The conversation also delved into dining preferences, with Zoe revealing her allergy to shellfish and fondness for French cuisine. They envisioned enjoying a Michelin-starred French meal in Tokyo. The pair also touched on sports, with Zoe favouring gymnastics and Mark preferring archery. They rounded off their Tokyo dream itinerary with a visit to a digital art gallery.
Immersive art experiences were another highlight, where Zoe recommended the works of Australian sculptor Ron Muirch. Mark was particularly impressed by the vividness of his sculptures, including the striking “Wild Man.”
Planning a week of cultural experiences in Tokyo, Zoe and Mark decided on a pop concert featuring Abba Voyage for Monday, The Mousetrap for Tuesday’s play, Chicago for Wednesday’s musical, and a visit to the Tokyo Opera House for Thursday’s opera. They wrapped up the week with a movie night on Friday.
Zoe’s love for music and cinema also surfaced, revealing her admiration for Tosca and the intricate storytelling of The Lord of the Rings. Mark shared his own connection to the film through his brother and his friendship with Ian McKellen’s PA.
When asked about her ideal dinner party guests, Zoe chose Dennis Bell, a mentor who helped shape her career, and cricket legend Ian Botham. She considered inviting Dickie Bird for his humorous cricket stories, reflecting her love of both cricket and her mentors.
Mark and Zoe also shared some light-hearted moments, comparing workspace habits (Zoe with a messy desk and Mark with a tidy one) and discussing the challenges of managing a global business. They concluded their chat with gratitude, as Mark thanked Zoe for her continued support of their member-funded organisation.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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Chief Culture Vulture
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