New appointments to lead the Arts Council in dance and visual arts

Dramatic Online, 30 March 2007,United Kingdom

In news from Arts Council England this week, two leading figures from dance and visual arts have been appointed. Vivienne Bennett, who is currently Project Director of Transforming Tate Modern, will take up the post of Director, Visual Arts Strategy, while Janet Archer who is currently Artistic Director/CEO at Dance City, the National Dance Agency for the North East of England, will become Director, Dance Strategy. Both of them bring with them a wealth of experience in their respective fields, and will use this to lead the Arts Council’s strategy across these artforms. In the statement released by the Arts Council, both spoke of their enthusiasm at the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Vivienne’s previous experience includes roles as Project Director, Imperial War Museum North from 1997 to 2002; Spiral Project Director, Victoria & Albert Museum; and Project Director, The TreeHouse Trust, London. She is also a trustee on Autograph ABP, the Association of Black Photographers. She commented: “I believe that art can, and should, be part of everyday life. Artists need to be able to take risks and pursue new opportunities if art is to thrive. My challenge is to help make this happen.” In her role at at Dance City, Janet launched the new international dance festival danciNG the world in Newcastle and Gateshead in 2006. Janet said: “I am passionate about dance and the impact it can have on people’s lives and the communities we live in. The Arts Council has a vital role to play in dance’s future. I am looking forward to bringing dance to new audiences and giving as wide a range of people as possible the opportunity to become involved in this vibrant artform.” Gus Casely-Hayford, the newly appointed Executive Director of Arts Strategy at the Arts Council England said that they will be joining the Council at an “exciting and challenging time” and that “their specialist knowledge and experience will prove invaluable in driving forward and developing the Arts Council’s dance strategy and our visual arts strategy, Turning Point. I look forward to welcoming them to the team.” As reported by Arts Hub earlier this year, these ongoing appointments are part of the end of the Arts Council’s restructure. Both new staff will be based at Arts Council England’s national office in London and lead the Arts Council’s teams of dance and visual arts specialists based across England. Artform Strategy Directors will be appointed for Literature, Theatre and Arts Strategy in April 2007.

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