Sara Bradford

Activist, Brainstormer, Change Agent, Connector, Global soul, Idea generator, Philanthropist, Social entrepreneur, World traveler, Writer/Editor

I currently work for Freedom to Create, established by founder and entrepreneur Richard Chandler. Freedom to Create was established to harness the unique and powerful attributes of the arts - as a communicator, a healer, an educator and change-making force - and use it to create prosperity across the globe. We work on the frontlines of the developing world and support practitioners which uses arts, such as theatre, film and even design, to address the root causes of poverty, illness and conflict. In this role I travel to areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the West Bank to source those innovative projects which are making the greatest impact in their respective communities. I was also solely responsible for conceiving and implementing the Freedom to Create Prize, now in its third year. This unique Prize celebrates those artists who use their talent to promote social justice issues in their communities and also inspire positive social change. Last year’s winner, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, is a sterling example of the kind of artists we celebrate through the Prize. He is not only an acclaimed filmmaker but also the spokesman for the Green Movement. Prior to Freedom to Create, I worked as the communications manager and terrorist and political risk analyst for a London based firm. In this role, I brought to the attention of business leaders and policy makers, the various underlying causes of political strife from around the world. I was also responsible for dissecting the headlines and delivering accurate and insightful material to journalists. In my “previous life”, I was also a journalist, initially in Australia where I was only one of two female crime reporters in the national press, and then in Hong Kong where I covered the legal beat and focussed on human rights issues which arose after the handover.

Travelling to conflict zones and witnessing first hand the power of the arts to inspire peace and create movements which rebuild and reconnect fractured societies.

Art and culture as a basic element for the development of any country - alongside health, education, food and security. For too long, art and culture have been ommitted from any dialogue or discourse as to how countries can alleviate themselves from poverty. From my work and what I have witnessed on the frontlines, it is evident that art is a powerful and underutilized tool which can mend societies, reverse HIV prevalence rates, counsel and heal child soldiers and educate oppressed communities, such as women, as to their worth and value in their children's future. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, change makers at the grass roots levels are becoming "Artivists" who are responsible for changing policies and drawing international attention on injuustices being perpetrated against women and children, the most vulnerable sections of society. Art and Culture are more than entertainment. They are a force for positive change.

Art and Communication, Art and Cultural Politics, Art and Design, Art and Its Role in Society, Philanthropy

Any pub quiz trivia that involves movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood and wearing six inch heels with ease (including traversing the cobblestones at Oxford in them).