Madeleine McGirk Rutherford

Bringing expertise in education, theatre and filmmaking, Madeleine is the Founding Managing Director of the International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC), where she has led the growth of the world’s first global network of participatory artists to over 5,000 members and 7 national Hubs working across communities worldwide.

She specialises in using the arts as a tool for learning, systems thinking, and social transformation across sectors, designing creative engagement programmes that deepen participation, strengthen understanding, and support meaningful outcomes in both formal and non-traditional learning environments. Her work focuses on using participatory and arts-based practice to explore complex social issues, foster dialogue, and build new and unlikely partnerships.

Madeleine serves as Artistic Director for the Inner Development Goals Summit, Co-Chair of Healing Arts Scotland, and has been invited to speak about the role of Teaching Artistry and creative engagement in multiple high-profile spaces including UNESCO, the World Health Organisation, the Scottish Parliament, and beyond.