Steph Roberts

Steph is a freelance visual arts curator, interpreter, writer and researcher based in the Llynfi valley. Through her work she explores health and illness narratives, access and inclusion, and overlooked or marginalised voices in art drawing on her own lived experience of being chronically ill, and from a working class family background.

Experienced in both historic and contemporary art she works with museums, galleries, charities, other artists and cultural institutions to bring these narratives to life, through digital resources, gallery interpretation, online talks and training. In her previous curatorial role at National Museum Cardiff, she worked on several high-profile and exhibitions and community-led projects, including Reframing Picton, and Kizuna: Japan Wales Design.

She has a particular interest in developing co-created Audio Description experiences, working alongside blind and partially blind artists to create collaborative Audio Described experiences.

Steph studied Fine Art at Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth, then went on to an MA in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she focused on science and images of the body in British 19th century art. Since then she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Sciences, with a focus on the impact of art and culture on health and wellbeing.

In 2024 she received Creative Steps funding from Arts Council of Wales to develop her practice as a disabled creative; and was accepted on to Clore Leadership Inclusive Cultures 2024, a disabled-led professional development programme for cultural leaders looking to take steps towards systemic change.

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The Blind Harpists: Another Look research and film funded by Understanding British Portraits Network, with support from Amgueddfa Cymru, Celf ar y Cyd and Sight Life. Special thanks to Bridie, Emma, Lou and Taff, Siân and Uri, and Margaret for their contributions. Video by Elin Mannion and Robert Cannon.