Liverpool's plans for 2008, when it will be crowned European Capital of Culture, are being revised after the departure of Australian artistic director Robyn Archer.
According to insiders, Archer resigned from the Liverpool Culture Company, a council quango, 'by mutual consent' after her idiosyncratic approach alienated many cultural figures and institutions.
Her programming also caused some local consternation when it was revealed that many of the artists she had invited had little popular appeal or connection with Liverpool. When Museums Journal contacted her, Archer declined to comment.
Kris Donaldson, the marketing director at the Culture Company, said the organisers were 'stepping back and taking stock' after Archer's departure. He said: 'We have got incredible talent in the cultural institutions here. We are trying to use local talent as much as possible.'
He added that they were still discussing what and who was now needed. A decision would be taken in the next couple of months, he said.
David Fleming, the director of National Museums Liverpool, said: 'We need coordination, but we are not looking for another artistic supremo who is going to be flown in.'
Andrea Nixon, the executive director of Tate Liverpool, said: 'There is a need for artistic leadership, but in what form we couldn't say.'
Donaldson would not comment on how much of the programming budget Archer had committed, but said that there was still 'significant funding available for art and creative programmes'.
Joe Anderson, the leader of the Liverpool Labour Party, criticised the lack of clarification, saying: 'With 18 months to go, people are still concerned about what the programme is and what will be delivered. The Culture Company is not communicating with organisations in the city and there is a lack of confidence in the deliverability of its objectives.'
Fleming disagreed: 'We are very optimistic about how the city is reorganising in the wake of Robyn Archer's departure. The cry of "Liverpool's dream is in tatters" is just so much bollocks. Condemnation is just silly at this stage.'
With more than 90 per cent of the £94.9m budget in place, Liverpool is certainly on track financially, but whether or not the programming matches that remains to be seen. The organisers are unlikely to draw much comfort from the advice on their former artistic director's official website: 'If you keep your eyes too hard on the quest for happiness, I think it might elude you.'
Patrick Steel
According to insiders, Archer resigned from the Liverpool Culture Company, a council quango, 'by mutual consent' after her idiosyncratic approach alienated many cultural figures and institutions.
Her programming also caused some local consternation when it was revealed that many of the artists she had invited had little popular appeal or connection with Liverpool. When Museums Journal contacted her, Archer declined to comment.
Kris Donaldson, the marketing director at the Culture Company, said the organisers were 'stepping back and taking stock' after Archer's departure. He said: 'We have got incredible talent in the cultural institutions here. We are trying to use local talent as much as possible.'
He added that they were still discussing what and who was now needed. A decision would be taken in the next couple of months, he said.
David Fleming, the director of National Museums Liverpool, said: 'We need coordination, but we are not looking for another artistic supremo who is going to be flown in.'
Andrea Nixon, the executive director of Tate Liverpool, said: 'There is a need for artistic leadership, but in what form we couldn't say.'
Donaldson would not comment on how much of the programming budget Archer had committed, but said that there was still 'significant funding available for art and creative programmes'.
Joe Anderson, the leader of the Liverpool Labour Party, criticised the lack of clarification, saying: 'With 18 months to go, people are still concerned about what the programme is and what will be delivered. The Culture Company is not communicating with organisations in the city and there is a lack of confidence in the deliverability of its objectives.'
Fleming disagreed: 'We are very optimistic about how the city is reorganising in the wake of Robyn Archer's departure. The cry of "Liverpool's dream is in tatters" is just so much bollocks. Condemnation is just silly at this stage.'
With more than 90 per cent of the £94.9m budget in place, Liverpool is certainly on track financially, but whether or not the programming matches that remains to be seen. The organisers are unlikely to draw much comfort from the advice on their former artistic director's official website: 'If you keep your eyes too hard on the quest for happiness, I think it might elude you.'
Patrick Steel
