Plymouth College of Art Appoints New Principal

Plymouth’s specialist independent Art College has announced the appointment of its new Principal, Professor Andrew Brewerton.

Current Principal Lynne Staley-Brookes will hand over the reins when she retires this summer and the new Principal will take up the position on 1 August 2010.

In her ninth year at the College, Lynne Staley-Brookes said: “It is with great pride that I leave this superb College at a position of great strength and I am confident the College will be in good hands for its future successes regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Accepting the post, the Honorary Professor of Fine art at Shanghai University said: “It is an enormous privilege to be joining so lively and so inclusive a creative arts community at Plymouth College of Art. The College plays a highly distinctive role in the creative economy both within and beyond the city and, with Lynne Staley-Brookes’ energy, direction and commitment, Plymouth College of Art has become a dynamic and dependable partner for creative entrepreneurship. Lynne’s is a rich legacy, which we will be working hard to extend.”

Rachel Abel, Clerk to the Corporation said: “Andrew will bring 17 years of experience in academic leadership, governance and strategic planning.

“His record demonstrates consistent and concrete achievement in the delivery of innovation, key regional, national and international programmes in contemporary arts education and a commitment to public service and values.

“The Corporation is confident that Andrew will successfully build on the continued successes of this College secured by staff and students and inspired by Lynne's leadership.”

“The quality of all the candidates' performance overall was excellent but after much deliberation the selection panel was able to unanimously recommend the appointment to the Corporation.”

Andrew Brewerton is a poet and author of more than forty journal and catalogue essays, chiefly on contemporary glass art. His public appointments have included Chair of South West Regional Council and national board member of the Art Council England and Vice-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group on Higher Education.

Formerly Head of Glass and Dean of Art & Design at the University of Wolverhampton, he worked for 10 years in glass crystal manufacturing and design, having run the Glasshouse at Stuart Crystal.

Also Head of Design and Development at Dartington Crystal he was responsible for the Frankfurt Fair award-winning Dartington Limited Editions collection in 1991, now a permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Having lectured widely in the UK, his critical writing on artists has been published in several languages around the globe.

Departing Principal Lynne Staley-Brookes will have spent 37 years working in full-time in education and nearly nine years at the College during a time of progression and success.

She added: “It is very easy for me to state that the most rewarding and enjoyable period of employment has been here in Plymouth, and leading this distinctive Art College.

“The College has changed and developed since I took up my post in July 2001 – but its ethos and culture as an Art College has stood it in good stead for the past 154 years.

“Where numerous art colleges throughout the country have lost their specialist identity by merging with other educational establishments, Plymouth College of Art is an independent institution and is flourishing.”

For more information about Plymouth College of Art visit www.plymouthart.ac.uk.