The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has appointed its first creative director.
Dominique Bouchard, who is currently the heritage and engagement director at Leeds Castle in Kent, will take up the new post on 1 June.
The role of creative director was established in the Stratford-upon-Avon-based charity’s new strategy that aims to “[bring] everyone together through Shakespeare to experience and spark conversations about his life, times and work today”.
The trust says it “aims to unite its places, collections, research and learning in ways that ignite creativity”.
Rachael North, chief executive of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “The story of Shakespeare in Stratford speaks to something creative in all of us; it’s a place of inspiration and shared history. Our creativity will bring people together, transforming lives and communities through Shakespeare. We are uniquely placed to tell this next chapter of the Shakespeare story.
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“Dominique and her team will support Stratford’s creative economy by collaborating with partners to co-create new exhibitions and experiences. She will play an integral role in celebrating our world class collections and archives, engaging diverse audiences and making the Trust’s historic properties and collections even more accessible.”
Bouchard said: “Heritage isn’t ultimately about buildings or objects. It’s about people and the meanings we make together.
“Shakespeare in Stratford is an astonishing inheritance, and I’m thrilled to join the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust at this moment of renewal, uniting our remarkable places, collections, research and learning to create extraordinary experiences that inspire curiosity and open up Shakespeare’s world and what it can mean today.
“This is a unique opportunity to help people connect to Shakespeare in places that shaped his life and family, sparking conversation and bringing people together.”
The trust has also appointed a director of Shakespeare scholarship. Charlotte Scott will take on the new position, reporting to Bouchard, and “provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the charity’s Shakespearean mission”.
New leadership role at Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum has created new leadership role, the director of development and communications.
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Stuart Boxall has been appointed to take up the role this week.
Boxall brings over 25 years’ experience across the arts and non-profit sectors, including senior development roles at the British Library, Barbican, and charities supporting young people. He is a Clore Leadership Programme alumnus.
Emma Ridgway, the Deborah Loeb Brice director of the Foundling Museum, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Stuart Boxall to the team as our new Director of Development & Communications, a new role created at this exciting and transformative moment in the Foundling Museum’s journey.”
Boxall said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Foundling Museum, with its roots as the UK’s first public art gallery and the birthplace of cultural philanthropy, where art and music sparked social change. This legacy continues today through its exhibitions and award-winning learning programmes, made possible thanks to its generous supporters.”
Amgueddfa Cymru appoints director of collections and research
John Giblin has been appointed as the new director of collections and research at Amgueddfa Cymru.
John joins the institution from National Museums Scotland, where he leads the Department of Global Arts, Cultures and Design, and recently served as interim head of collection services.
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He is also the current director of the Reveal and Connect project, which is mapping and researching African and Caribbean collections across Scotland and strengthening links with descendent communities.
A statement from Amgueddfa Cymru said: “This leadership experience, commitment to participatory practice, and work on colonial histories align brilliantly with our values and direction.
“With a strong academic background and publications across archaeology, anthropology, art and museum studies, John is an honorary research fellow at the University of Edinburgh and an honorary associate professor at UCL.
“John joins us on 17 August, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming him and the impact he’ll make on Wales’ national collection and our research ambitions.”