The Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) has appointed Clare Harris as its new director. Taking up the post next month, she replaces previous director Seonaid Daly who left the role at the end of November 2018.
With a background in publishing and communications, Harris has edited a range of publications covering arts, culture and social affairs, and has worked with organisations including The Big Issue and Scottish Refugee Council.
Her work in the arts includes communications support for Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts, Trongate 103 and Glasgow International.
SCAN, which became a Creative Scotland regularly funded organisation in the 2018-21 funding round, is a membership network that promotes the contemporary art sector in Scotland.
In December 2017 SCAN produced a manifesto in collaboration with Engage and the Scottish Artists Union. Among its 19 points was a call for “longer-term public investment that supports the creative and professional development of artists, workers and organisations”.
Announcing Harris’s appointment, SCAN chair Sarah Munro, director of Baltic, Gateshead, said: “We are excited to announce the appointment of Clare as our new director. At a time of real challenge and change it is vital that we build on our manifesto commitments and support artistic practice and production in a wider society.”
She added: “The knowledge and experience of our membership should more strongly inform necessary policy developments and help build the wider alliances that the sector needs to flourish.
“Clare comes with a wealth of experience in communications, building third sector partnerships and has a developed understanding of, and belief in, the importance of art. We are delighted to welcome her to the SCAN network.”
Harris said: “I’m excited to be joining SCAN at a time when the need for artists’ voices is stronger than ever. I am looking forward to building on the excellent work SCAN has been doing to create a strong voice for the sector.”
Image:
Clare Harris, new director of the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN). Courtesy: SCAN
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