Kettle’s Yard appoints new Director

The change-over, on November 7^th, comes as Kettle’s Yard is poised to begin work on a new education wing after a highly successful appeal.

For Andrew Nairne this is a return to Kettle’s Yard where he began his working life in 1984-85. Since then he has had a distinguished career in contemporary art galleries and arts administration as Deputy Director of the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham (1985-86), Exhibitions Director at the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow (1986-93), Director of Visual Arts with the Scottish Arts Council (1993-97), Director of Dundee Contemporary Arts (1997-2001), Director of Modern Art Oxford (2001-08), and, since 2008, Executive Director, Arts for Arts Council England.

In this role he led the development of Arts Council England’s 10 year Strategic Framework for the Arts, ‘Achieving great art for everyone’, published in 2010.

As a curator and gallery director Andrew has worked with artists at the forefront of the contemporary visual arts including: Miroslaw Balka, Yael Bartana, Candice Breitz, Janet Cardiff / Georges Bures Miller, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Tony Cragg, Daniel Buren, Olafur Eliassion, Tracey Emin, Callum Innes, Jannis Kounellis, Jim Lambie, Nalini Malani, Tracey Moffatt, Ernesto Neto, Mike Nelson, Katie Paterson, Katerina Seda, Fiona Tan and Huang Yong Ping.

Andrew Nairne said: "I am greatly looking forward to joining Kettle's Yard as Director at an exciting time of development. Working within one of the world's most outstanding universities, and through creating new partnerships, there is an opportunity to further enhance Kettle’s Yard’s pioneering exhibitions and activities and to fulfil the potential offered by the forthcoming extension."

Michael Harrison will be retiring after 19 years as Director of Kettle’s Yard. He has had a remarkable tenure  overseeing major changes to Kettle's Yard – the extension to the gallery in 1993-4, a doubling of visitor numbers, the instigation and planning of the new development and an impressive array of exhibitions.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University, said: "Cambridge University recognises the importance of the arts in education and within society. We are therefore delighted that someone as skilled and enthusiastic as Andrew Nairne is taking on the mantle of Kettle's Yard."

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: "Andrew brought a wealth of experience and insight from a distinguished career in contemporary arts administration and curating when he joined us in 2008.  He has helped lead the Arts Council through some significant challenges and changes, but his key legacy is the development of ‘Achieving great art for everyone’.  He leaves us with a strong vision for the arts in the next ten years.

"Our loss is very much Kettle’s Yard’s gain.  It’s great news that Andrew will be taking the helm at such an exciting time for the gallery.  His experience of working with artists at regional, national and international level, and of community and education programmes, make him ideally placed to oversee the development of their new education wing.

‘I’d also like to thank Michael Harrison for his dedication and work over the years, which have seen Kettle’s Yard achieve international renown, and to wish him well for his retirement."

Founded in 1957 by H S ‘Jim’ Ede, Kettle’s Yard became part of Cambridge University in 1966. Since then it has grown to become internationally known for its house and collection and its programme of 20^th century and contemporary exhibitions. In recent years its music programme has expanded from the ongoing chamber music series to encompass flourishing New Music and student series. Its education service is recognised as one of the best in the country.

The forthcoming development will provide new education spaces, an expanded art library, a project gallery and proper collection storage. It is made possible by a £2.32million Heritage Lottery Fund grant and awards from The Monument Trust, The Edlis Neeson Foundation, The Clore Duffield Foundation, The Sir Siegmund Warburg Voluntary Settlement, The J Paul Getty Charitable Foundation, Cambridge City Council and generous donations from artists and individual supporters.