Without Walls is pleased to announce that the interviews for the Director of Without Walls have resulted in the appointment of Ralph Kennedy. Ralph is currently the Associate Director of XTRAX and will take up the new post formally on 1 April.
The appointment comes following the decision for XTRAX to step back from its management role in the Without Walls consortium to concentrate on its other activities. From April 2023, Maggie Clarke will continue her fantastic work as the Director of XTRAX, while the rest of the XTRAX team will be transferred across to Without Walls under the leadership of Ralph Kennedy.
Jo Burns, Chair of Without Walls, said of the appointment: “With Arts Council England support confirmed for the next three years, now is the time for a new Director to lead Without Walls into the next stage of its evolution. The Board are delighted to appoint Ralph Kennedy to this role. He comes with valuable leadership experience in both cultural and social sector organisations and we are delighted he is to be the Director Without Walls at this important time”.
Ralph Kennedy said: “Outdoor arts is uniquely placed to provide cultural experiences to people and communities of all backgrounds, without the barriers which often exclude people from traditional arts institutions and organisations. It has a vital role to play as the country works its way back from the Covid-19 pandemic and reconfigures how and why we connect with each other and the places where we live. I am deeply honoured to become the first organisational Director of Without Walls, which, over the last 10 years, has been instrumental in developing the resilience and excellence of outdoor arts in England”.
