MEET CAMILLA
I founded Culture River to support hard-working teams to deliver compelling, audience-focussed experiences that drive thriving business performance.
I have over 15 years’ experience doing just that on the frontline of the arts, heritage and public sectors.
I know well what it takes to deliver experiences with impact in a rapidly evolving cultural sector, while juggling operational and business constraints. I’m also a qualified project manager (APM PMQ) with experience in marketing and fundraising for local authorities and education charities.
At Culture River, we’re passionate about helping culture teams work smarter, not harder, to do what they do best – sparking meaningful connections between people, place, and story.
-
OUR MISSION
To help ambitious, passionate culture teams work smarter, not harder to deliver meaningful experiences with impact that spark long-lasting connections between people, place, and story.
-
OUR VISION
A world where everyone has equal access to culture that’s relevant and unforgettable because it’s made with and for communities, by empowered teams who know how to serve their audience and support their business.
Culture River brings focussed expertise with imagination and clarity
Explore Camilla’s experience
-
![Lanterns light the way up the drive to Stourhead House.]()
Visitor experience management
I managed visitor experience at two of the National Trust’s top 10 busiest properties, Polesden Lacey and Stourhead, for over 7 years.
-
![Caprice, by Anouk Mercier, is exhibited in the Temple of Flora at Stourhead.]()
Programme design and delivery
I led teams to deliver year-round visit-driving programming, including headline exhibitions and interpretation, art commissions, and community outreach activity.
-
![Visitors stand beneath an archway inside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.]()
Fundraising
I fundraised for a national dyslexia charity in trusts and community outreach. This was my introduction to neurodiversity and the importance of access standards.
-
![A series of white feathers, made of milk bottle plastic, are displayed on steel rods in a garden.]()
Experiences consultancy
I was a regional experiences curator, supporting properties across the South West, from built heritage to coast and countryside sites. I provide consulting expertise in programming, business strategy, and audience development.
-
![A man in a flatcap and a woman wearing a yellow dress and diamond tiara sleep in deckchairs.]()
Creative production
I led the National Trust’s participation in We Are Shining, Wildworks’ £1M Cornwall-wide cultural engagement programme made with and for underrepresented communities in Cornwall.
-
![Camilla Forest stands in from of a Summer of Play poster that says 'Ready to play!']()
Project management
I acquired to the APM’s Project Management Qualification while leading delivery of Summer of Play, a flagship national programme drawing 4M visitors.
-
![Visitors explore an outdoor rainbow light installation.]()
Marketing
I worked in public sector marketing for a local authority outdoor education programme, creating audience-tailored web content and print collateral.
A network of trusted expertise
All Culture River projects are led by Camilla Forest. For larger projects or specialist requirements, we upscale capacity by tapping into a network of experienced arts and heritage professionals - curators, designers, producers, and facilitators - ensuring clients benefit from deep expertise without compromising on quality or consistency.
Camilla is also the founder and coordinator of a developing network of Ex-National Trust colleagues, who now deliver freelance work across the cultural sector.
