The Lowry Appoints First Artistic Director
Robert Robson, currently The Lowry's Theatres Director, has just been appointed Artistic Director of the award-winning arts complex for visual and performing arts on Salford Quays.
Robert will lead on the development of both theatre and exhibition programming, allowing increased integration across the two art forms. He comments: "This is a great opportunity to build on our successes and develop the two strands equally. We will maintain our philosophy of delivering a broad range of high quality arts, entertainment and life long learning in a unique environment."
Julia Fawcett, Chief Executive of The Lowry "As we house the visual and performing arts under one roof, the appointment of an Artistic Director heading up both strands is a strategic decision enabling a more coherent approach to programming and ultimately offering enhanced opportunities for our audiences."
Previous programming collaborations across The Lowry's theatres & galleries include Kabuki, the spectacular Japanese theatrical experience coinciding with Art of Kabuki (Prints by Paul Binnie) celebrating Japan's greatest theatrical tradition.
Robert comes from Scotland and studied at Glasgow University and University College, Cardiff. After working extensively in community theatre, he became Artistic Director of Cumbernauld Theatre, a multi-purpose theatre presenting a wide variety of work and promoting community involvement. In 1990 he became Festival Director of Mayfest, Britain's second biggest arts festival, presenting work across all the art forms and programming and commissioning the best international and British work. In 1994, he became first the Theatre Director of His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen and then General Manager of Performing Arts Venues for Aberdeen City Council.
The Lowry has been a spectacular success achieving almost a million visitors each year since opening; its award-winning theatre programme has proved extremely popular for both public and theatre critics alike; its galleries are now ranked in the top ten of the most visited galleries in the UK and the centre is now firmly established on the international stage as a home for the arts, entertainment and innovation.
Posted on Tuesday, 11 February 2003 under Press General Press