The Beacon’s new leading light
New team member – Julie Ellen – Artistic Director/CEO
Greenock Arts Guild is pleased to announce the appointment of our new an Artistic Director/CEO, who will head the new Beacon Arts Centre, opening in summer 2012. The role will be pivotal to the success of the venue – widely regarded as one of the most significant new, provincial arts projects being delivered in Scotland.
One of Scotland’s leading artistic directors Julie Ellen, who currently runs the successful Playwright Studios, will join our team in the summer. In her role as creative director of Playwright she helped develop some of Scotland’s best writers. Now she will turn her attention to crafting a programme that will excite theatre audiences both locally and beyond – as well as pulling together a talented team at the arts centre.
Speaking about her new role, Julie said: “This is very exciting for me and a great challenge. I am very excited about coming to work at The Beacon. It is difficult times right now for the arts but Inverclyde has shown a real commitment to investing in talent. There is a real opportunity at the Beacon and I am very privileged to be part of it.”
Julie Ellen trained as an actor at Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University College before working extensively as an actor and director in Scotland and London. She has held a number of posts both in Scotland and down south. With Playwright Studios, Julie has helped mentor and develop a new generation of writers in Scotland.
Arts Guild chairman Elliot McKelvie hailed Julie Ellen as an outstanding arts professional who will bring a wealth of experience to Inverclyde. He said: “Julie will be the public face and figurehead of The Beacon and she will establish it as one of the most creative and exciting arts centres anywhere in the country. The board of Greenock Arts Guild and our funding partners have ambitious targets for the Beacon to provide a new and inclusive focus for the arts in Inverclyde.”
Julie’s appointment is the first of a number of key management positions which will be made before the building opens in summer 2012.
Our current team at the Arts Guild look forward to welcoming and assisting Julie Ellen in her new role.
