Artistic Director of the Barbican appointed as Advisor to British Council Arts Group

Graham will play an important role in developing and strengthening the national and international work of the British Council across the field of arts and the creative economy. 

Reinforcing our commitment to the integral role the creative sector plays in our work overall, Graham will provide leadership and support in the expansion of our work with this sector in the UK and overseas. In addition to the role that Graham will play in supporting our arts work he will also chair the British Council’s Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Group, which will be appointed after he has joined.

Graham Sheffield has been Artistic Director of the Barbican since 1995.  He leads the development of artistic vision, policy and strategy across the art forms in Europe’s largest integrated multi-arts centre – music, drama, dance, cinema, spoken word and the visual arts.  Under his artistic leadership the Barbican has been transformed into one of the most innovative and diverse centres in the arts.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive, British Council commented:

“We are delighted that Graham has been offered and accepted the role of Chair of our Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Committee. Graham, working closely with Rebecca, is the ideal person to help develop our ongoing arts strategy. As Artistic Director at the Barbican he has proved that he has an unparalleled passion for the arts and the ability to translate this into a dynamic internationally renowned programme. The British Council is committed to the arts and we hope that Graham’s appointment will strengthen our expertise to continue to deliver on our core purpose of building trust and engagement for the UK.”

Graham Sheffield commented: “I am honoured and excited to be asked to take on this national role at a time when the arts, culture and the creative economies are receiving a new and strengthened emphasis across the entirety of the British Council's vision and strategic objectives.  I will approach this task with the same energy and commitment as I shall continue to give to my ongoing role as the Barbican's Artistic Director, and I am grateful to the City of London Corporation for agreeing the flexibility to enable this to happen.”

For further information, a full biog and image of Graham Sheffield please contact Eleanor Hutchins in the British Council Press Office on + 44 (0) 20 7389 4981 or email: eleanor.hutchins@britishcouncil.org

Notes to Editors:

•           The British Council works in  over 100 countries worldwide to build intercultural understanding between the UK and other countries through the arts, education and training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human rights. Our income in 2006/07 was £551m, of which grant-in-aid from the British government was £195m. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org