The new Chief Executive of Creative Scotland is Janet Archer, currently Director of Dance at Arts Council England. Archer will begin her new role on 1 July 2013. The post, which Creative Scotland says attracted over 100 applicants, became vacant in December 2012 following the resignation of the organisation’s first CEO, Andrew Dixon. Dixon left after a relentless barrage of criticism from the arts sector in Scotland.
Archer is a former dancer and choreographer and prior to joining ACE in 2007 was Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Dance City, the Newcastle-based national dance agency. She also set up and was Artistic Director of the Nexus Dance Company.
In a press statement released today, Archer said: “I am thrilled and excited at the chance to take on this important role for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland. The passion and intelligence emerging out of recent debate has reinforced the vital role that Creative Scotland has to play as a partner and facilitator.
“These conversations are evidence of a genuine dynamic at work in the country, and a real desire to make the best use of the fantastic resources of intellectual and human capital available to us. I’m simply delighted to have the opportunity to contribute towards Scotland’s creative future and look forward to working with people everywhere to unlock talent, drive opportunity, and grow artistic and cultural capital for this amazingly ambitious nation.”
Archer currently chairs the artist-led dance organisation, The Work Room, based at Tramway in Glasgow. On hearing news of her appointment, @the_work_room tweeted: ‘Janet Archer has brought such vision, clear thinking and sensitivity to her role with us, enabling artists to lead the way.’
Archer was involved in developing Arts Council England’s ten year framework for the arts: Achieving Great Art For Everyone, and led the team that delivered the State of the Arts 2012 conference.
Sir Sandy Crombie, Chair of Creative Scotland said of the appointment: “We are all looking forward to working with Janet and the senior management team in building on the feedback and relationships with arts practitioners throughout Scotland…. The board was impressed with her policymaking and partnership skills and knowledge across the whole field of the wider arts, screen and creative industries.”
