Arts Council England’s new integrated structure is beginning to take shape with the appointment of Hedley Swain as its Director, Museums & Renaissance.
Swain joined MLA in 2007 as Head of Museum Policy, becoming Director of Programmes in 2008. He will take up his new role from 1 October as part of the redeployment process of key MLA staff.
Of his appointment, Swain said: “I am really looking forward to helping Arts Council England take on and integrate its new museum responsibilities, in particular ensuring that Renaissance continues to evolve and deliver sustainable and transformational benefit to England’s regional museums and the people they serve.”
He will be joined by Nicola Morgan, currently Programme Manager, Sector Improvement at MLA, who will take up the post of Director, Libraries at the Arts Council.
To complete the trio of key appointments, Charlotte Johns, currently Renaissance Programme Coordinator at MLA, will take up the post of Director, Museums & Investment at the Arts Council.
Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said: “These appointments are great news for the Arts Council and for the museums and libraries sectors.
“Based on their experience at MLA and elsewhere, Hedley, Nicola and Charlotte will bring a wealth of expertise and creative thinking to their new roles and we look forward to working with them as we address the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
In late June, Arts Council England revealed further details of a £40 million fund to help build the long-term resilience of arts organisations by increasing their fundraising potential.
Catalyst Arts is part of the £80 million scheme to boost philanthropy to the arts announced last December by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England.
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture said: “The government’s drive to increase philanthropy in arts and culture is only a year old but already there is a huge amount of momentum that is going to make important and lasting changes.
“This announcement is great news and will particularly benefit smaller organisations that need help taking advantage of untapped fundraising opportunities.
“Together with today’s consultation from HM Treasury on tax incentives for lifetime giving, we are taking a big step forward in delivering significant changes for arts and cultural organisations across England”.
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