Pocklington Arts Centre starts search for new director
Pocklington Town Council will be recruiting a new director for Pocklington Arts Centre after Angela Stone decided to step down from the role.
The current director is relocating out of the area after three successful years at the helm.
Angela will be in post until Christmas supporting this year’s festive family stage production “Jingle all the way” and will continue to welcome new and familiar faces to the arts centre over the coming weeks and also support Pocklington Town Council with the recruitment of a new director.
Pocklington Town Mayor, Councillor Roly Cronshaw, said: “We are sorry to see Angela move on. She brought great energy, creativity, and resilience to the arts centre during one of the most challenging periods for the arts sector following lockdown.
“Under her leadership, the team delivered an ambitious and engaging programme that successfully rebuilt audiences, even in the face of significant financial pressures including the loss of £80,000 per year in funding from Arts Council England.”
“During her tenure, Angela secured vital investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, enabling major accessibility improvements both in the auditorium and backstage areas.
“She also revitalised the arts centre’s brand identity across the building, print, and digital platforms; established a now-well-loved annual Christmas production; and created new employment and development opportunities for local artists and creatives through a rich programme of community engagement and professional arts initiatives.”
Angela Stone said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside such a talented and committed team to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for visitors to access the arts. This year, we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Pocklington Arts Centre and it feels fitting to hand on the baton to a new director to define the next 25 years (and beyond).
"Following the retirement of Janet Farmer in 2022, I always knew I had big boots to fill! I hope that my personal contribution to the legacy of the arts centre will leave a lasting positive impact. There’s so much to be proud of and so much to celebrate.
"I remain passionately proud of Forgotten Voices, Singing for Fun, Thunk-It Theatre, Wolds Wonders and the talented and generous artists and creatives I have had the good fortune to have worked with during my time here. I look forward to returning as a patron and supporting the continued development of the centre’s productions and the exciting vision to develop outreach and continued participation opportunities across the Region.”
The arts centre team are supported by more than 50 local volunteers who offer a wide range of skills and experience in welcoming visitors across events, performances, cinema screenings and weekly community sessions.