Expertise
Community & Faith-Based Engagement
I design workshops, focus groups, and arts-based activities that help cultural institutions engage communities of all or no faith with care, curiosity, and depth.
Artist Support & Strategy
I work alongside individual artists on statements, applications, and project framing so your ideas are legible to funders, curators, and audiences without losing their nuance.
Academic Writing & Lecturing
My academic work explores the intersections of art, faith, and public life through essays and articles. I have lectured on both Art History and Theology Courses at University level.
Upcoming Events
Client Testimonials
Coming soon
Coming soon
Siris Hill, Artist
"Maryanne engaged deeply with my project and went above and beyond to make the event I had in mind possible. Her understanding of my practice and her professionalism and care made me feel completely supported. It was a pleasure working with her."
Coming soon
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About Maryanne
I am an art historian and public engagement professional working at the intersection of art, faith, and public life. For over a decade I’ve designed workshops, focus groups, and arts-based activities for cultural institutions, supported individual artists with the language around their work, and developed an academic practice thinking carefully about the empowering potential of art and its histories.
Education
PhD Theology and Religious Studies
King's College London
Thesis title: "In Between": Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Religious Art
Viva passed March 2021
MSt History of Art and Visual Culture
University of Oxford
Graduation July 2016
BA (Hons) History of Art
University of Oxford
Graduation July 2015
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 2026 - Present
Interfaith Engagement Lead
The National Gallery, London
• Working with key gallery staff to research, develop, and implement their new Interfaith engagement strategy.
Ahmanson Fellow in Religion and the Arts
The National Gallery, London
November 2024-September 2026
• Publishing on St Anne in art, delivering invited seminars and lectures, contributing to edited volumes and projects such as the VCS.
• Lead engagement initiatives on religious themes in the collection, including public
lectures, gallery talks, guided tours, and panel discussions
• Conduct specialist research and share knowledge through multiple public-facing
formats
• Leading events planning including international colloquium in May 2026
• Facilitate learning and discussion with local faith groups and community organisations
• Public facilitation training with Involve, developing collaborative practice with diverse audiences
November 2024 - September 2026
Lecturer in Religion and the Arts
King's College London
• Taught on modules 'The Devotional Use of Art in Christianity' and 'Art as a Theological Medium'.
• Provide teaching, research supervision and pastoral support for postgraduate students from diverse backgrounds ranging from new graduates to lifelong learners, adapting approach to diverse needs.
September 2021- October 2024
Access and Career Development Fellow
(History of Art)
Lincoln College
University of Oxford
• Strategic programme planning and implementation, managing programme budgets, logistics, reporting and evaluation for multiple simultaneous initiatives
• Designed and delivered Pathfinders, an evidence-based, continuous contact intervention for pupils eligible for free school meals, recognised in the University of Oxford's most recent Access and Participation Plan as an example of good practice
• Oversaw tracking of participant progress through The Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) service and monitored evaluation according to OfS, University, and College criteria
• Training in Theory of Change for Evaluation from the UK Evaluation Society
• Successfully secured funding from independent sources
• Commissioned and managed creative projects including films and printed media
• Mentored professional services staff, lecturers and researchers including briefings on key issues related to educational equality
• Collaborated with external organisations including Target Oxbridge, The Brilliant Club, the Clemente Programme for the Humanities and the University of Lincoln
September 2021 - October 2024
Visiting Lecturer
History of Art
University of Oxford
• Academic Advisor and Supervisor in History of Art, Fine Art and Museum Studies
• Admissions tutor for Undergraduate course
• Delivered lectures for 'Theory and Methods' module
December 2035-Present
Visiting Fellow
Institute of Sacred Music and Yale Art Gallery
Yale University
• Awarded competitive funded fellowship with Yale Divinity School and Yale Art Gallery working on examples of contemporary art using Bibles in the Alan Chasanoff Book Art collection
Connect
I work with museums, galleries, faith communities, artists, and researchers who are curious about how art can open up new forms of conversation and care. If you’d like to discuss a project, collaboration, or commission, I’d be glad to hear from you.