Natalie Willatt

Building on several years of experience working within the community art sector in Stoke-on-Trent, Natalie now works for Art UK as Community Volunteer Manager. She has built a programme of in-person Tagger projects taking place in her hometown of Stoke. She is also finding ways to engage more deeply with Art UK’s amazing group of online Taggers, who can join in from anywhere in the world. Outside of her role at Art UK, she is a socially engaged photographer, often making work exploring themes of community, class and faith.

Natalie Willatt is speaking at the Digital Collections Summit 2026 :

Art Connects: real connections in a digital world

Discover how digital tools can spark real human connection. In this session, we share how Art UK’s community volunteering programme transforms digital initiatives on a national online platform into a local, social experience. Through Tagger, a simple artwork-tagging tool, participants connect, share stories and rediscover their places and heritage together. Blending online access with in‑person sessions in community spaces, the programme reduces isolation, builds confidence and supports wellbeing. With over 1,300 participants already involved, we’ll reveal practical insights, real impact and inspiring voices, showing how digital engagement can create meaningful, lasting connections that bring people and art closer than ever.