Alastair Upton is joining from the Bluecoat in Liverpool where he has been Chief Executive for five years. During his tenure Alastair has led the Bluecoat through one of its most important phases since opening as an arts centre 100 years ago. There have been major changes to the building and organisation, including a £14.5 million multi-award winning re-development of the building and the re-opening for the 2008 European Capital of Culture year.
Prior to this Alastair was for ten years the director of Charleston, the historic Sussex home of Bloomsbury Group artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
Alastair, who starts work in January 2012, said: “The Creative Foundation has achieved a huge amount for Folkestone in a short time and established a national reputation for its work. I’m really delighted to have been asked to take on its leadership. There are some very exciting opportunities and challenges ahead and I’m really looking forward to working on them with the board, staff and partners.”
Chairman of the Creative Foundation, Roger De Haan said ‘The Board of Trustees and I are delighted that Alastair Upton will be joining the Creative Foundation. Following the success of the second Triennial this is an ideal time for a new Chief Executive to take the Creative Foundation forward in its mission for arts led regeneration in Folkestone.’