Doreen Foster appointed as Warwick Arts Centre director starting 2018

Doreen Foster will be the next director of Warwick Arts Centre, starting from 1 September 2018. She is the current deputy director of the Black Cultural Archives, and was the previous chief executive of the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham.

Regarding her appointment, she said: “I am delighted to be appointed the new Director, building on the great work and solid foundations built by Alan Rivett and carving out new directions.

“I am really excited to be leading Warwick Arts Centre in the next chapter of its life. I look forward to developing Warwick’s reputation as a culturally inclusive and creatively ambitious arts centre.”

Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft said: “Doreen’s energy and passion for the Arts is infectious and I look forward to welcoming her back to the West Midlands where the Arts is playing a central role in regeneration and when our City of Coventry is preparing to host the 2021 UK City of Culture.

“Doreen is a nationally recognised leader in the Arts and her broad-ranging experience makes her uniquely placed to help us position both Warwick Arts Centre and the University at the heart of the communities we seek to serve.”

Peter Knott, Area Director at Arts Council England, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Doreen Foster as Warwick Arts Centre’s new Director, with her wealth of experience and genuine passion for the arts, dance and heritage.

“This is a very exciting time for Warwick Arts Centre as they begin major redevelopment work of their building and prepare to play an important role as Coventry gets set to host UK City of Culture in 2021.”

He added: “Alan Rivett leaves behind him a great legacy, and we look forward to seeing how Doreen will build upon this, engaging with Coventry and Warwickshire’s diverse communities and making great arts and culture accessible for all.”