The British Council has appointed Ruth Mackenzie as its new director of arts.
Mackenzie was previously the director of the London 2012 Festival, before joining the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, as director from 2017 to 2020, a role she departed from on acrimonious terms. She was appointed artistic director of the 2024 Adelaide Festival in Australia but left suddenly midway through her tenure to become programme director for arts, culture and creative industries policy within the government of South Australia.
‘The British Council’s mission for peace and prosperity is inspiring for creatives, artists and communities round the world,’ Mackenzie said in a statement. ‘I am honoured to be joining as the new Director of Arts to build on the important cultural soft power they achieve.’
