As a Producer and Theatre Maker, Anna has significant experience in community engagement. A commitment to diversity, equality, and challenging elitism in the arts and cultural sector defines her work. For much of her career, Anna has worked with Global Majority artists and communities and explored themes of diaspora.
Anna joins CAN from the Museum of the Home in London. There, she developed a new programme championing Vietnamese and South East Asian voices. Her work significantly impacted the creative programme, collections, and permanent displays for ESEA communities and artists.
Her CV includes work with the national touring company New Earth Theatre, as a Producer with The Dukes, where she co-produced work with Red Ladder Theatre, and as an Associate Producer at HOME, producing work for its main stage. Before the interruption of COVID, Anna was working on a HOME production in partnership with Trafalgar Studios in London.
Anna is a theatre-maker and has created several pieces, including Sonic Pho, and as a filmmaker, she made the short film Looking for You.
Anna attended Central School of Speech and Drama and previously worked as an actor. She appeared on BBC Radio 4 and with Finsbury Park Theatre, where she was nominated for an Off West End Award in the Best Female Actress category.
She has worked extensively with Vietnamese and Global Minority communities; and is committed to developing new audiences, growing equality, diversity and representation in the arts, and challenging elitism in the sector.
“I’m delighted to join Community Arts North West as its new Creative Director”
“CAN is renowned regionally and nationally for its pioneering approach to socially engaged practice. CAN has a long history of working with the diverse communities of Greater Manchester and championing artists, many of whom are new migrants or have experienced forced migration.”
“During my role as Associate Director at The Dukes, I had a placement with CAN and felt instantly at home. CAN is a company close to my heart, and I had hoped to work with CAN in the future.”
“I’m thrilled that my creative journey now brings me here. I’m looking forward to learning from communities, artists, and colleagues. I’m honoured to stand on the shoulders of inspiring Creative Directors, including Cilla Baynes MBE and Stella Barnes. I look forward to finding my place at CAN and the city of Manchester, which is a powerhouse of creativity in the UK.”
Anna will join us at the end of October 2024.
“We’re very excited that Anna is joining the company as its Creative Director. Anna’s work is grounded in the principles of co-creation and collaboration with global majority artists, communities, and other groups that are too often excluded from the arts. Anna has a proven track record as a Producer and Artist, and we are very fortunate to have recruited her.”
Denis Skelton, Chair of Community Arts North West’s Board of Directors
“I’m so pleased to welcome Anna Vu Thompson as the new Creative Director for Community Arts North West. CAN has a longstanding and important track record in championing creative access, opportunity and talent development for all. Anna’s experience of working with diverse communities across the country to create truly engaging theatre makes her brilliantly placed to take CAN forward into the future. It’s an exciting time for Greater Manchester. The city region has a thriving arts and cultural scene, and it’s great to see that Anna will be helping to lead the sector here. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Community Arts North West under Anna’s creative leadership.”
Jen Cleary, Director, North, Arts Council England
