Debbie Chan

Debbie Chan is Artist/ CEO/ Artistic Director Producer (Neurodivergent Specialist) for Heather Peak and joined DASH in July 2023.

She is an arts producer, facilitator and mentor based in Bolton, North West of England with over 20 years' experiences of working in the cultural arts sector.

As a British Born, Chinese female raised by parents from Hong Kong, China; and Foster Parents from Germany and England (1976-1982); she grew up near Portsmouth and studied Fine Art at the University of Central England, Birmingham.

Since 2000, she has lived and worked across the North West in various arts organisations and institutions, including Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool; FACT, Liverpool; Manchester Art Gallery; Centre For Contemporary Chinese Art (CFCCA); HOME, Manchester and Arts Council of England to name a few.

She is currently producer of Small Bells Ring, working with artists Heather Peak & Ivan Morison who founded Studio Morison. She is also Lead Facilitator for At The Library, an ambitious, artist-led programme situated in Sefton Libraries and Artist Mentor for Everyday, a Wigan based community arts organisation led by neurodivergent artists.

Debbie closely works with artists to commission public art and artistic projects often in non-art venues and places of deprivation. People and their stories matter, where she is interested in ideas around collaborative working, social sculptures and socially engaged practice.

Using a fun, caring and diplomatic approach, she works to empower people by carefully weaving contemporary art practices into our consciousness, public spaces & everyday life. Experiences of working with food in the family takeaway, waitressing in Noble House Chinese restaurant & preparing meals for Woolworths café, probably explains why hospitality, presentation and cooking is important to her practice.