Arnolfini, Bristol’s centre for contemporary arts, has appointed Kate Brindley as its director after seven months in the post on an interim basis.
Since becoming interim director in April, Kate, pictured, has built on Arnolfini’s success. Following Arts Council England’s commitment in July to ongoing funding for the centre, Kate and its trustees put in place a renewal programme to take Arnolfini to the next stage of its development.
This will ensure the organisation is performing as efficiently as possible, using public money to maximum effect while continuing to play a key role in the city’s arts scene. 
Kate said: “I am looking forward to continuing to work with partners and communities in the city to shape the next chapter for the organisation.
“The ongoing commitment from the Arts Council is a vote of confidence as we plan the future programme, building on Arnolfini’s legacy in Bristol and beyond.”
Arnolfini trustees interim chair Anna Southall added: “We are delighted that Kate will now lead Arnolfini through the next phase of its development. She has wide ranging experience of leading cultural organisations and a passion for introducing new audiences to a rich diversity of contemporary art. We look forward to working with her as Arnolfini looks to the future with confidence.”
Kate’s appointment sees her return to Bristol, where she was director of museums, galleries and archives between 2005 and 2009. During this period she was responsible for the successful £26m M Shed project and the Banksy vs Bristol Museum project, which attracted over 300,000 visitors – putting it among 2009’s top 10 most-visited exhibitions in the world.
She has also been head of Wolverhampton Arts and Museums and more recently director of Middlesbrough Institute of Contemporary Art.
Arnolfini is one of Europe’s leading centres for contemporary arts with a reputation for presenting innovative work in the visual arts, performance, dance, film, music and events. These are accompanied by a programme of learning and participation activities.
The Grade II listed, converted warehouse has five exhibition spaces, a theatre/cinema auditorium, reading room and light/dark studios along with one of the country’s best arts shops as well as a café/bar serving local and seasonal produce.
