Ben OsborneThe Chief Executive of Scarborough Museums Trust, Shirley Collier, has been appointed to the Yorkshire regional council of Arts Council England.
Shirley has worked in museums for the past 20 years. She started her career at the National Maritime Museum in London, then worked at the Royal Air Force Museum, the Tate, the British Film Institute and, most recently, the Imperial War Museum, where she was Deputy Director of Collections.
She joined Scarborough Museums Trust as Chief Executive in 2007, and during 2005/06, as part of her Clore Fellowship (an initiative of the Clore Duffield Foundation which aims to strengthen leadership across a wide range of cultural activities), she worked closely with DanceEast and the Arts Council on Big Dance. She also has a lifelong love of choral music.
Shirley is currently representing the UK on the judging panel for the EuropeanMuseum of the Year Award 2012.
She says, “I’m delighted to take up this important role in promoting the cultural development of the region. The regional councils of Arts Council England play a hugely important role in ensuring that people living outside the capital have equally excellent access to the arts, through museums and galleries, events and performances.”
Cluny Macpherson, Yorkshire’s Regional Director, Arts Council England, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Shirley to our regional council. She has a wealth of experience in arts and culture, coupled with a passion and commitment to ensuring that people in Yorkshire can get involved.”
Arts Council England promote and invest in artistic and cultural experiences by supporting activities across the arts, museums and libraries. Between 2011 and 2015, they are due to invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £0.85 billion from the National Lottery to help create memorable artistic experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
