Arts Council England has appointed Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum, Andrew Lovett OBE, to the Arts Council England (ACE) National Council.
Made up of 15 members who are also charitable trustees, ACE National Council includes its National Chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, and the five chairs of its area councils.
It is responsible for ensuring the achievement of ACE objectives, to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts, and to increase the accessibility of the arts to the public. The council decide on policy and priorities and invest money in artists and art organisations directly and through the area councils.
Andrew has 30 years of leadership experience across museums, leisure, tourism, arts, heritage, and protected landscape sectors. His previous roles include Head of Visitor Services at York Museums as Head of Visitor Services, leading roles at the STEAM – Museum of Great Western Railway in Swindon, and serving as Deputy and Acting Chief Executive at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Newcastle-Gateshead. He started his current role as Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum in August 2009.
Andrew has a wealth of experience and involvement with industry advisory bodies. He chaired the board of the Association of Independent Museums, as well as becoming deputy chair of National Museum Director’s Council in March 2022.
Speaking about his appointment, Andrew said: "I am delighted and honoured that the Secretary of State has appointed me to bring my perspectives to the leadership and governance of Arts Council England, including across my own specialism of museums. It is a serious undertaking to ensure museums, freelancers, libraries, and the arts continue to be of great and greater consequence in all our lives.”
Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, usually for four years.
