New Chair of Arts Council England appointed
The DCMS have today announced that Sir Nicholas Serota has been appointed the Chair of the Arts Council. He joins the Arts Council after serving 28 years as the Director at Tate, and will take over the role when Sir Peter Bazalgette ends his term in January 2017.
Speaking about the appointment, Darren Henley, Chief Executive at Arts Council England said: “Nick is a visionary arts leader of immense national and international standing, whose cultural credentials are second to none. He has led Tate with flair and wisdom for the past three decades, ensuring new audiences across the country can enjoy contemporary art. I’m thrilled that we will now benefit from his insight and expertise at Arts Council England. Our excitement at Nick’s arrival is only tempered by sadness at Baz’s departure. We owe him a great debt of gratitude for his truly outstanding leadership and his intelligent championing of public investment in arts and culture over the past four years. In both our outgoing and incoming chairs, we couldn’t have wished for better appointments.”
Sir Nicholas Serota said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to succeed Sir Peter Bazalgette as Chair of the Arts Council from 1 February 2017. This is an enormous honour, given the seventy year history of the Council, its success in recent years and the crucial role that it plays in promoting art and culture in this country.”
After making the appointment with the approval of the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said: “Nicholas Serota has transformed the Tate during his time there, making it one of the leading art institutions in the world, and I am delighted he is taking up the position as Chair of Arts Council England. He brings unparallelled experience, creativity and wisdom and will continue to be an enthusiastic champion of the arts in his new role. I would like to thank Peter Bazalgette for his fantastic energy and hard work in the role as he passes the baton to Nicholas.”
Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, said: “Nicholas has had an immeasurable impact on the Tate over the past three decades bringing incredible art to the public’s attention that has inspired generations. As the next chair of Arts Council England I am sure he will build on the excellent work of Sir Peter Bazalgette in increasing diversity and access to arts and culture across the country. I very much look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Sir Nicholas Serota will take up the part-time role of Chair of the Arts Council on 1 February 2017.
