The Board of Edinburgh Printmakers is delighted to announce the appointment of Janet Archer as CEO.
Prior to joining Edinburgh Printmakers, Janet held the role of Executive Producer for The New Real at Edinburgh Innovations, and Director of Festival, Cultural and City Events at the University of Edinburgh. While at the University, she enabled new festival activity to take place on campus, as well as producing an online series Edinburgh Culture Conversations for the University’s Futures Institute, bringing together 58 artists, academics and cultural leaders to discuss how culture contributes to society during Covid-19.
In 2013, Janet was appointed as the CEO of Creative Scotland. Over the course of her five-year tenure she championed artists, advocated for Scotland’s screen sector, promoted equalities, diversity and inclusion, and set out a firm commitment to creative learning and environmental sustainability.
Prior to this role, Janet worked as a national director for Arts Council England with the Arts Strategy team where she produced State of the Arts: Artists Shaping the World in 2010. She has a strong international network, both across Europe and more widely through leading and developing international projects over the past thirty years as well as being invited to speak in many countries including Argentina, Canada and Finland.
1991 she was appointed as the Artistic Director and CEO of Dance City in Newcastle where she raised £7.6m to build a new Dance House for the city, designed by award winning Edinburgh-based Malcolm Fraser Architects. She led a six country European project COLINA, Collaboration in Arts, during this period.
Since stepping down from her role as a funder, Janet has joined the Ionad Hiort (St Kilda Centre) Advisory Board, balletLORENT, and the Saltire Trust as a trustee. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Janet trained in theatre and dance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff followed by the Rambert Academy and London School of Contemporary Dance. Her family background is from Allahabad [Prayagraj] in India, Dumfries and Galloway, and Derby in England. Janet has been an enthusastic collector of prints over many years.
Mungo Campbell, Chair of Edinburgh Printmakers says:
“Our search for Edinburgh Printmakers’ new CEO has been extensive and thorough. I know that I am speaking for everyone involved at Castle Mills when I say how excited we are that Janet will be leading us in our work with artists and communities in Fountainbridge and, through EP Spaces, across the whole of Scotland. The Board was unanimous that an ambitious Edinburgh Printmakers will flourish under Janet’s exceptional leadership; leadership that will serve the board, our staff, our members and stakeholders, and the people we serve in Edinburgh and beyond.”
Speaking about her appointment, Janet said:
“I’m humbled and delighted to be appointed to this role. Edinburgh Printmakers and its members have a long history of achievement since the organisation was launched in 1967. It’s an important all year-round cultural destination, playing a key role in the regeneration of Fountainbridge, and an important national function via its growing network of EP Spaces.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be given the chance to work with the exceptional team at Edinburgh Printmakers to re-open the award-winning Castle Mills studio, galleries, café and creative industries hub. I’m looking forward to building partnerships to realise Edinburgh Printmakers’ vision and promote contemporary printmaking practice as a vital part of Scotland’s arts eco-system.”
