Ana Isabel Gonzalez

About me

As a theatre maker and drama facilitator with 17 years of experience in community projects, my career has been a journey through the transformative landscape of the arts. With foundational drama studies in Madrid and a Master's in Applied Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, I have devoted my professional life to the practice and teaching of the arts with a deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity and social justice. In 2006 I co-founded the VOCES Foundation, a pioneering charity in Spain working with vulnerable groups through the arts, and in 2016 I co-created the 16 Kilometres Festival in Cañada Real (Madrid), the largest informal settlement in Europe. Both organisations have been recognized with several awards for their impact in the inclusion of diverse and marginalised communities. Within VOCES, and in collaboration with a number of reputed charities, I have led a range of art projects, not only in Spain and the UK, but also across 14 developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Awards

Solidarity with G Award · Fundación Secretariado Gitano · 2020

In recognition of the 16 Kilometers Festival contribution to the social integration of the Spanish gypsy population

Fair Saturday International Award · Fair Saturday Foundation · 2019

Awarded to the 16 Kilometers Festival for the best project in the category of culture and social innovation

Public-Social Cooperation Award · Madrid City Council · 2019

Awarded to VOCES Foundation's Cañada Real Children’s Orchestra for the most innovative project

Actors Union Special Award · Spanish Actors Union · 2017

Awarded to the 16 Kilometers Festival in recognition of the work with cinema for social transformation

González Sinde Award · Spanish Film Academy · 2017

Awarded to the 16 Kilometers Festival for the best social cinema initiative

National Impulsa Award · Podemos Party · 2016

Awarded to the VOCES Foundation for the best cultural project in favour of human rights