Kaia Charles is a Cultural projects commissioner and curator whose work is rooted in contemporary art practice. Charles has commissioned projects that explore urbanism, digital and cross-cultural visual culture.
Before joining Greenwich Peninsula’s cultural team in 2014, she worked with the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Contemporary Programmes section, curating a variety of arts commissions. In 2021, she joined the Design Council’s professional network as a design specialist and is a trustee and chair of the Board of Public Arts charity Up Projects. Charles co-curates NOW Gallery, including the Future Space Award and Human Stories exhibition strands, featuring artists such as Hattie Stewart, Sarah Shakeel, Manjit Thapp, Stephen Tayo and Joy Yamusangie.
In 2024 Charles curates Like a Melody: Myths, Memories and Fantasy by painter and sculptor, Charlotte Mei. Charles believes art and culture should be inclusive and is crucial to adding a creative dimension to community; and works to embed pioneering cultural events, exhibitions and public art in creative neighbourhoods. Her work for Greenwich Peninsula involves fostering creative partnerships, bringing the work of emerging designers and artists who establish links with local communities in creative ways. Charles also commissions site–specific art and architectural interventions for the public realm such as Hundreds and Thousands by Liz West, Promise Me Memories by Yinka Ilori, Conrad Shawcross’ Optic Cloak, Siblings by Morag Myerscough, Quick Tide by Felipe Pantone, Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos by Murugiah, and the 33 Pavilion by Studio Weave. She has also judged the 2019 and 2022 Creative Review Photo Annuals.