Firstsite gallery in Colchester has appointed Colchester Arts Centre, under the leadership of its director Anthony Roberts, to manage the gallery for the next 12 months.
The move, which Firstsite describes as ‘an innovative approach’, follows the recent resignation of Matthew Rowe as director. Colchester Arts Centre is known as a venue for gigs, comedy and other performance events. In May it will be hosting the 30th Colchester Real Ale & Cider Festival.
Announcing the plan, interim chair of the Firstsite board Andrew Nightingale said: “Anthony has a proven track record in providing popular but challenging art for Colchester and the region. This chimes precisely with Firstsite’s mission and the board believes this makes a perfect fit at the present time.
“Although Anthony’s experience is in the field of performance, rather than visual art, he will bring energy, leadership, an understanding of Colchester [and] a track record of delivering successful events… We look forward to creating another venue in Colchester that is just as diverse and popular as the Arts Centre while retaining a core focus on contemporary visual art.”
Roberts said: “I have lived in Colchester for 24 years. I love the town, I love the arts, I love this opportunity to add my little bit to the brilliant team at Firstsite and to make this beautiful building sing.”
Arts Council support
Firstsite lost its Arts Council England NPO funding status in February following ‘serious concerns’ about its sustainability, and since the new £28m building opened in 2011 it has struggled to attract the visitor numbers expected of it.
Responding to the latest announcement, Hedley Swain, ACE South East Area Director, said the decision was “fully supported and welcomed by Arts Council England.”
She added: “We will continue to work closely with Firstsite and the local authority stakeholders to ensure the gallery fulfils its potential to be a vibrant visual arts centre for Colchester and the surrounding region and delivers a programme that is valued by its local communities.”
A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We are convinced that Firstsite gallery can make a big contribution to the artistic life of Colchester and of Essex and East Anglia as a whole, and Ant Roberts and his team bring the knowledge of the local arts scene to make sure this succeeds.”
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