New Castlefield Gallery Director announced

Castlefield Gallery is delighted to announce that it has appointed Helen Wewiora as its new Director.

Helen Wewiora will take over from the Gallery’s current Director, Kwong Lee, in January 2017.

Helen joins Castlefield Gallery from Arts Council England (ACE) where she has been Relationship Manager for Visual Arts for a number of years and where she has led on strategic programmes for several large-scale partners. Recently her role with ACE has focused on support for individual artists in the North West and nationally, including on matters of ‘fair pay’, practice and career development support, the studio and production ecology.

Helen joins Castlefield Gallery in what is an exciting time in the organisations development having just secured ACE’s £150,000 Catalyst Evolve funding to embed sustainability into the organisation over the next three years.

The Board of Trustees is looking forward to working with Helen towards the next chapter of the Castlefield Gallery’s dynamic 32-year history.

Marla Cunningham, Chair of Castlefield Gallery’s Board of Directors said “The Board welcomes Helen Wewiora and we look forward to working with her to take Castlefield Gallery to the next phase. The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Kwong Lee, who has lead Castlefield Gallery with great enthusiasm, positivity and care over the last 11 years. Kwong’s dedication to developing and supporting artists in the region has strengthened the foundation of Castlefield Gallery and helped the organisation prosper.”

Alison Clark, Director North, Arts Council England said “We are delighted that Castlefield Gallery has made such a strong appointment that will build on Kwong Lee’s deep legacy. Helen is known across the region and beyond for her commitment to artists, her strategic vision and her extensive networks. I am always pleased to see Arts Council colleagues move into leadership roles in arts organisations – and vice versa; it brings a healthy exchange of perspective.”

Dr Maria Balshaw, Director of Culture, Manchester City Council said “Manchester City Council welcomes Helen Wewiora as the new Director of Castlefield Gallery.  Helen is a respected colleague and a great champion of the visual arts in the North West and we look forward to seeing how Castlefield Gallery thrives under her leadership.”

For further information, images or to arrange interviews, please contact: Jennifer Dean, Communications and Audience Development Coordinator at Castlefield Gallery, on jennifer@castlefieldgallery.co.uk / 0161 832 8034.