Rosa Harvest is the Deputy Director at Gasworks

Please tell us about yourself

I am the Deputy Director at Gasworks and Triangle Network, a non-profit gallery, studio provider, and international network based in Vauxhall, South London. My role involves ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, allowing our team and artists to focus on what they do best.

Before joining Gasworks, I worked at Peer in Hoxton, East London, another non-profit gallery that collaborates closely with artists, local communities, and young people.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about socialism and supporting social justice causes through activism. I also love reading, listening to podcasts (always open to recommendations), and of course, my cats!

 What was your journey into the arts?

I was raised by a single mother who worked at the Arts Council, so from a young age, I was immersed in the world of art—attending openings, performances, and exhibitions. I was likely to either reject the art world entirely or embrace it as my calling; fortunately, the latter happened.   I studied Documentary Photography for my BA, and after graduating, I took a job at a commercial art gallery in Bristol. It didn’t take long to realise that the commercial sector wasn’t the right fit for me, so I began volunteering at a local studio provider.   This experience led to my first role at ‘Made in Arts London,’ a fantastic organisation within the University of the Arts London’s Students’ Union. They promote the work of student and recent graduate artists while offering guidance on how to develop and sustain their practices. It was here that I discovered my passion for creating resources and environments where artists can truly thrive.   I later pursued an MA at Central Saint Martins in Arts and Cultural Enterprise, where I focused on how arts organisations can better engage young people from working-class backgrounds. While completing my MA, I worked as a Development Manager for New Contemporaries, which provided valuable insight into the endless challenges of fundraising in the public art sector. After that, I joined Peer and eventually found my way to Gasworks.

 What inspires you?

People’s passion and hope.

We live in challenging times, with so many deeply troubling events happening around the world and countless seemingly insurmountable challenges facing humanity.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disillusioned.

But what inspires me is connecting with others—hearing their stories, learning about the actions they’re taking, and seeing how people harness creativity, community, collaboration, and ingenuity to work toward real, positive solutions.

Why should people join CVAN London?

Throughout my career, I’ve found networks like CVAN London to be incredibly valuable.

They offer safe and supportive spaces where people can come together to share their experiences, knowledge, and skills.

I firmly believe that a problem shared is a problem halved, and networks like CVAN amplify that benefit many times over.

In this sector, we often face similar challenges, so having a resource like CVAN where we can discuss these issues together is invaluable. It’s an opportunity to collaborate and find ways to support each other in addressing them.

What are your goals for CVAN London?

To learn from and listen to others in the network, build connections, and deepen my knowledge and understanding of our sector and the people within it.

What is one piece of advice or learning that resonates with you right now as part of the AREVA writers room?

We should apply the same creative, risk-taking, and inventive approach we see in the artists we work with to how we run our organisations.

The status quo isn’t always the best way forward, and by working together, we can challenge it and explore alternative ways of working.

What's coming up?

We're currently preparing for an upcoming exhibition with Indonesian artist and filmmaker Riar Rizaldi, which explores the intersection of science, fiction, and technology. Gasworks recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and welcomed a new Director, Robert Leckie. We’re now focused on shaping our programming and strategic plans for the coming years, alongside the ongoing development of the Triangle Network. It’s an exciting time to be part of the organisation, and I’m looking forward to work with the team as we move into this next chapter.

A favourite art moment in London:

There have been so many memorable moments, but one of my favourites was at Peer, just after the pandemic. We launched a project where we collected a poem in every language spoken in Hackney. On a sunny, hot day, we invited many of the poets to read their contributions in front of the gallery on Hoxton Street to launch the accompanying exhibition. The event was a heartfelt celebration of our communities and a powerful reminder of our connection after months of isolation.