A DIRECTOR at the Arts Council England has been named the new chief executive of the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland, Creative Scotland.
Janet Archer is director of the dance section at Arts Council England, a post she has held for the last six years.
She takes up her post on the first of next month and succeeds Andrew Dixon, who resigned in December and stood down earlier this year.
Says a Creative Scotland media release: “Janet was the unanimous choice of the Creative Scotland board for a post which attracted almost 100 applications.
“Janet has worked extensively with projects in Scotland and currently chairs the artists-led organisation, The Work Room, based at Tramway in Glasgow. She has supported the British Council in programming their showcases in Edinburgh.
“She has a broad knowledge of the wider arts and creative industries sector having recently been involved in developing Arts Council England’s ten year framework for the arts: Achieving Great Art For Everyone. She also led the team that delivered the State of the Arts 2012 conference: Artists Shaping the World.
“Prior to joining Arts Council England she was chief executive and artistic director of Dance City, the Newcastle-based National Dance Agency, where she project managed their £7.6 million capital development.
“A former dancer and choreographer, she set up and was artistic director of the Nexus Dance Company. At Arts Council England she conceived the ‘Dance Mapping’ project which looked at the work, challenges and opportunities of over 1,400 practitioners, companies and promoters throughout England.”
In a Scottish Government media release, Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, is quoted, as saying: “I am pleased that Creative Scotland’s board has chosen Janet Archer as the new chief executive. There was unprecedented interest in the post and a very strong and diverse range of candidates, demonstrating the high regard in which Scottish culture and creative excellence is rightly held.
“Janet has worked across the wider arts and creative industries with a recent focus on the quality of arts leadership and increasing access to culture for all. She has a clear understanding of the context of cultural provision in Scotland, in addition to extensive experience in the field of dance.
“She will be key to driving forward Creative Scotland’s work to increase the appreciation and celebration of Scotland’s cultural achievements and rich creative talent, both in this country and internationally.”
