Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Raby.
Hi Marc, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I came to this work through a deep belief in the power of art to tell the truth about who we are. From early on, I was drawn to storytelling, performance, and spaces where people could gather and see themselves reflected with honesty and dignity. Over time, that passion grew into a commitment to building platforms for artists whose voices are often overlooked.
My journey has been shaped by community, collaboration, and a desire to create work that matters. Each step has brought me closer to understanding art not just as expression, but as responsibility. Today, I’m focused on creating environments where creativity is nurtured, risk is encouraged, and stories are treated with care.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth. Building and sustaining creative spaces requires persistence, especially in environments where funding, visibility, and support for the arts are limited. I’ve faced moments of uncertainty, resource constraints, and the constant challenge of balancing artistic integrity with practical realities.
What’s carried me through is resilience and a clear sense of purpose. Each obstacle sharpened my understanding of leadership and reinforced why this work is necessary. The challenges didn’t slow the vision; they clarified it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As Artistic Director of Encore Theatre and Gallery in Birmingham, my work centers on cultivating bold, thoughtful, and socially engaged art. I specialize in developing productions and exhibitions that honor lived experience and elevate voices that deserve to be heard.
I’m known for creating work that sits at the intersection of storytelling, community, and cultural reflection. Whether on stage or within the gallery, I prioritize authenticity, emotional truth, and artistic excellence. What I’m most proud of is building a space where artists feel seen, supported, and challenged to do their best work.
What sets me apart is my holistic approach to creative leadership. I don’t just produce art; I build ecosystems for it. I believe art should be accessible, intentional, and rooted in the communities it serves. At its best, my work invites people to listen more closely, feel more deeply, and imagine what’s possible together.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
At the end of the day, my work is about building a home for truth. Encore Theatre and Gallery isn’t just a venue to me. It’s a living room for the city, a place where people can sit with stories that are beautiful, complicated, and real. I’m drawn to art that doesn’t simply entertain, but asks something of us: attention, empathy, and courage.
I believe Birmingham deserves spaces where artists don’t have to shrink themselves to be understood. Spaces where the work can be raw and refined at the same time, and where community isn’t a marketing word but the method. If people leave Encore feeling more connected to themselves or to one another, even in a small way, then we’ve done what art is meant to do.
I take this work personally. I’m not here to just put on shows. I’m here to create an environment where people feel seen and where artists feel protected enough to tell the truth. That kind of trust takes time, and it’s something I commit to building every day.
At its core, Encore is about belonging. It’s about making room for voices that have been ignored or underestimated, and about reminding people that art isn’t extra, it’s essential. It’s how communities heal, how we remember who we are, and how we imagine what we can become.
Contact Info:
- Website: encorebham@gmail.com
- Instagram: Iammarcraby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amraesown
- Twitter: https://x.com/iammarcraby
Image Credits
Marc Raby
