New chief executive for Worthing Theatres & Museum
Worthing Theatres & Museum has appointed a new chief executive, who will lead the organisation into its next phase.
Louise Blackwell, who has more than 25 years’ experience producing and leading arts organisations, will take up the role in Janary and will become full-time in April.
Since February, Jill Stewart has led WTM as interim CEO, stepping up from her role as executive director, alongside Tanya Peters as executive director culture and place.
West Sussex born and bred, Louise most recently founded Creative Crawley, an arts charity that brought together key stakeholders across the town to produce festivals, performances and public art in unusual spaces.
During her time in Crawley, she has raised more than £2.5million for arts and culture, creating new cultural spaces and training opportunities for young people, and attracting a range of artistes and partners
As CEO, Louise will lead WTM's four venues: the Connaught Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, Assembly Hall and Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
She said: “I am incredibly excited about leading Worthing Theatres & Museum into its next phase, building on the great foundations and looking forward to creating a robust, relevant and resilient organisation that champions and supports the cultural ecology in Worthing, Sussex and beyond.
“I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, staff, artists, supporters and residents of Worthing to reach our potential. This extraordinary estate belongs to everyone in the town, and together we can make something remarkable happen for Worthing.”
WTM chair James Turnbull said he was delighted Louise was joining. He added: “The board of trustees set out to find a leader who could secure the charity’s future and help us grow our contribution to life in Worthing, across Sussex and beyond. Louise brings the creative ambition and practical experience to do both.
“Our theatres and museum are Worthing's crown jewels, and our strategy is to grow our reach and impact. Louise sees that potential and understands that a strong, financially sustainable organisation gives us the freedom to be ambitious. I’m looking forward to working with her and our team to bring more people through our doors and create more opportunities for people to enjoy and take part in culture.”
Councillor Dom Ford, Worthing Borough Council's cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said: “We have a fantastic partnership with WTM, which spans four of the town’s most significant cultural venues – Connaught Theatre & Studio, Worthing Museum & Gallery, Assembly Hall and Pavilion Theatre.
“WTM is a critical part of a growing cultural community in Worthing, and we recently agreed a new five-year partnership that will give the organisation the financial stability it needs to deliver an ambitious programme of events and plan confidently for the future.
“I’m delighted to welcome Louise to Worthing and wish her every success in her new role. I look forward to working closely with her and WTM as we support the town’s ever-growing creative and cultural scene.”