Creative Scotland announces Janet Archer as chief executive
Creative Scotland has announced that Janet Archer will take up the role of chief executive on 1 July, replacing Andrew Dixon, who stepped down in December 2012 from the organisation to undertake a 'change of direction'.
Currently director for the Dance for Arts Council in England, Archer takes the £110,000 role after beating almost 100 other applicants, and has been named as the ‘unanimous choice’ of the Creative Scotland Board.
She 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.”
The panel was led by Sir Sandy Crombie, chairman of the Creative Scotland Board and also included board members Peter Cabrelli, Steve Grimmond and Ruth Wishart and a representative of the Scottish Government: Aileen McKechnie, director of culture and heritage.
Crombie said: “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. She comes at a time of huge opportunities to highlight Scotland’s artistic excellence and achievements in the run up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and beyond.
“The board was impressed with her policymaking and partnership skills and knowledge across the whole field of the wider arts, screen and creative industries.”