Centre for Contemporary Art, Nottingham
Alex Farquharson appointed Director of the new Centre for Contemporary Art, Nottingham
For further information call Gary Smerdon-White, Chairman of CCAN on 44 (0)7860311412 or email garysmerdon-white [at] supanet.com
The new Centre for Contemporary Art, Nottingham, announces the appointment of the internationally renowned curator, critic and writer Alex Farquharson as its founding Director. Farquharson takes up his post on 2 April 2007 and will lead the development of the centre through to its opening in Autumn 2008 and beyond. Designed by architects Caruso St John, the Centre for Contemporary Art is a highly significant addition to the East Midlands cultural landscape, occupying a prime site in Nottinghams Lace Market district and funded by Arts Council East Midlands, Nottingham City Council and a range of other supporters. Under Alex Farquharsons direction it will join an international network of contemporary art institutions dedicated to artistic, curatorial and educational innovation.
Alex Farquharson has expressed his excitement at the prospect of shaping the new centre and sees it as an ambitious new institution of contemporary art, that will be an inspirational social and cultural home for our immediate audience and the artists and other cultural practitioners well be working with. Under his direction the Centre for Contemporary Art will give equal emphasis to major exhibitions and a dynamic programme of live art, artists films and transdisciplinary education projects. Farquharson hopes that Nottingham will become an essential port-of-call for national and international visitors committed to the exploration of art and ideas.
Alison Lloyd, Head of Visual Arts and Literature, Arts Council England, East Midlands, said: We are delighted to welcome Alex to Nottingham to develop what will be a flag ship gallery of contemporary art in the region. His reputation will help to establish CCAN as an exciting and leading centre for contemporary art. Arts Council England is a major capital and revenue investor in CCAN and sees it as playing a major role in attracting visitors to the city and region.
Nottingham City Council is the lead partner in the development of the project and has been instrumental in bringing it to this stage. Peter Milton, Head of Cultural Services said: As developer of the building, the City Council is delighted to be working with Alex Farquharson and the new Board to ensure CCAN benefits the cultural life of Nottingham, the region and beyond.
