Description
- Abstract:
- In this interview, Karen Gallagher discusses her family history and mixed-race background, and the discrimination she experienced building the Black dance community in Liverpool. Please be advised that this interview may contain stories of trauma, both personal and community-wide related to the legacies of racial slavery and colonialism. It is preserved to document the emotions and experiences of the individual interviewed. Some language in this transcript may be offensive. It is presented as it exists in the original audio recording. The views and opinions expressed by the speaker(s) do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Global Curatorial Project, Brown University, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the project's institutional partners. For questions or concerns please contact library staff at [email protected] or +1-401-863-2146.
- Notes:
- Immediate form of acquisition: A2025-025
- Biographical/historical note: Karen Gallagher is of Nigerian and British heritage born in Liverpool. Karen Gallagher MBE was born in Liverpool, Karen trained at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London in the early 80’s then returned to Liverpool to develop dance in a variety of ways. She worked at Second Out Theatre Workshop (1986), 051 Media Training Limited (1991-92), and became Assistant Director at Cheshire Dance Workshop (1992-94). As Artistic Director of MDI (1994-2018) her passion for dance and how it can effect change in people’s lives alongside how as an artform it is appreciated through creation and performance was key to how she led and developed the company over many years. An MA in Social Enterprise Graduate of Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU) in 2007, she received a BMOBO for MDI’s community dance practice (2010); was a runner up for Merseyside Woman of the Year (2011), received an MBE (2012) and an Honorary Fellow of LJMU (2014). In 2020 she set up Karen Gallagher and Associates: www.karengallagherandassociates.co.uk and since delivered on numerous contracts for Liverpool City Region, Liverpool City Council, Edgehill and Liverpool Hope Universities, Cause 4 and The Black-E.
- Karen Gallagher Oral History Interview, Global Curatorial Project: Unfinished Conversations oral histories and records, Ms.2022.010, Brown University Library
- Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)
Access Conditions
- Use and Reproduction
- The duplication and reproduction of materials in this collection outside of Brown University, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and project partner institutions requires the written consent from the interviewee or their assignee. Please contact the John Hay Library at [email protected] or +1401-863-2146 with any inquires.
- Rights
- This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
- Restrictions on Use
- Collection is open for research.
Citation
Brown University. Ruth J Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, International Slavery Museum, and National Museum of African American History and Culture (U.S.),
"Karen Gallagher Oral History Interview"
(2025).
GCP Liverpool.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:t6bwm7sj/
Relations
Has Parts:
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Karen Gallagher Oral History Interview
- Type: Stream
- Order: 1
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Karen Gallagher Transcript
- Type: Transcript
- Order: 1a