Gallery
"Great event! I was really impressed and glad I attended. The ning network makes it possible to follow up on things discussed at the roadshow, which I think is great, as often these kind of seminar / workshops get lost at the back of your mind a few days later."
AmbITion Roadshow feedback
"I thought it was a very well-balanced day - the right amount (ie: not too little, not too overwhelming) of interesting topics, presentations and discussions. One of the best produced days I've ever been to!"
AmbITion Roadshow feedback
Ashley Smith Hammond, Ambition Scotland Manger
Leading Culture Sparks’ delivery of the £1m Creative Scotland funded Ambition Scotland programme…
Ashley Smith Hammond is the Project Manager for AmbITion Scotland. Funded by Creative Scotland, Ambition Scotland is a £1m digital development programme specifically designed to support individuals and organisations working in the arts, culture and heritage sectors in Scotland. It helps organisations and individuals grow in their capability, capacity, creativity and confidence to make the most of the opportunities of digital technologies. Ashley is responsible for helping deliver the extensive events programme as well as coordinating with the programme’s constituents. AmbITion Scotland hosts regular events (one per month on average) including the national conference Digital 2012 and has provided training on a range of highly useful subjects. Ashley is especially proud of the longer-term legacy of these events as video archives are available to view on demand on AmbITion:TV.
Ashley has been working in and researching the cultural sector for more than 10 years. She lectured in the Department of Cultural Business at Glasgow Caledonian University and the School of the Creative and Cultural Industries at University of the West of Scotland and worked as a Social Science Researcher for the Macaulay Institute with a focus on cultural policy and quality of life. Before moving to Scotland, Ashley worked in the creative industries as a fundraising researcher for WGBH (the public television and radio broadcaster) in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 2008, Ashley graduated with a PhD from the University of the West of Scotland. Ashley’s PhD research (carried out 2004-2007) took a special interest in post-devolution Scottish cultural policy and focused on the country’s dance sector. Titled 'Embodying Scotland: Identity, Cultural Policy, Dance', the thesis explores questions about national identity in Scotland by investigating dance practice and specific pieces of dance in the context of post-devolution Scottish national cultural policy. Ashley also holds a master's degree in film and television studies from the University of North Texas department of Radio, Television and Film.
Specialisms:
Digital development
Web 2.0 for the creative sector
Scottish cultural policy
Arts funding
Dance and physical theatre in Scotland
You are most likely to catch Ashley out and about at a dance performance in Glasgow; she is a big fan. Ashley puts this passion to work as a Specialist Advisor to Creative Scotland’s Dance Department.