Image: Pam Johnson in Pearl by Namron (1988) © Terry Cryer
We invited alumna Pam Johnson back to NSCD for an inspiring conversation with our current CEO & Principal Sharon Watson.
Pam talks about her initial years in Leeds from beginnings at Harehills Middle School to being part of the very first intake of students at NSCD, where her interest in choreography was ignited.
On graduating, Pam worked as a performer and as a choreographer, becoming one of the first female dancers to join the then-all-male, all-black Phoenix Dance Company.
After a brief stint as a freelance dance artist Pam pursued a career in arts administration, driven to support the independent sector. She joined Arts Council England in 2003 and remained there for 16 years working to support numerous arts organisations and raise ambitions of the sector. Her final 6 years at Arts Council were spent as Senior Relationship Manager in London working on Strategic Partnerships.
Pam returned to Leeds in 2019 to take up the role of Culture Development Manager at Leeds City Council, and is now working to develop the city’s ambitious Culture Strategy.