Matthew Rowe, director of Firstsite gallery in Colchester, has stepped down after two years in the job. Rowe joined the gallery in January 2013, having previously been artistic director at Towner, Eastbourne.
Firstsite has had a rocky ride since moving to a new £28m building in 2011 and has struggled to attract audiences. In February, the gallery had its Arts Council England NPO funding agreement for 2015-18 withdrawn due to ‘serious concerns’ about its sustainabilty. Firstsite also recieves funding from Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council.
A statement from Andrew Nightingale, the interim chair of Firstsite’s board, said: “Matthew Rowe has decided to step down from his role as director of Firstsite. It has been a challenging and demanding tenure during which he has worked hard to position Firstsite as a leading contemporary arts organisation.
“He talked recently about Firstsite being ‘at a crossroads’, and after much consideration has decided it is time for him to move on and enable the organisation to grasp new opportunities and initiatives.
“Together with the board, I offer my sincere thanks to Matthew for his commitment and hard work. There have been many struggles – some of which are ongoing – but we have also witnessed some encouraging work with many community-based partnership projects, participation within the Plus Tate network and support for the Essex Network of Artist Studios.
“With the continued support of the Arts Council England, Essex County Council and Colchester Borough Council, I believe there is a sustainable future for Firstsite which, working with the excellent staff Firstsite has, we are determined to secure.”
The gallery has said that an interim director will be appointed at the end of this week.
On being announced as Firstsite’s new director in November 2012, Rowe said: “The positioning of Firstsite within the local community is essential to my new role.
“I hope to extend Firstsite’s mission in bringing excellent art to everyone, supporting artists from the region to develop their careers and demonstrating the value that contemporary visual art brings to society.”
