Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
First Published: 20 June 2022 12:00
Updated: 20 June 2022 12:06
Jane Spiers is a highly respected arts leader and is currently Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, due to step down on 1 July 2022. She succeeds Seona Reid who is standing down following nine years of exceptional service.
In a career in the arts spanning 40 years from inner London to rural Aberdeenshire, Jane Spiers has been a producer, programmer, festival director, event manager and cultural policy advisor.
She has been Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts since 2012, running three venues; His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree and three city festivals, having previously been the inaugural Chief Executive of Horsecross Arts; Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall from 2003 – 2012.
She has a long-standing commitment to Scottish theatre sharing her expertise sector-wide as a Trustee with a number of industry bodies. Her significant cultural contribution to Aberdeen and the North East was acknowledged in a lifetime achievement award by the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Currently Jane is a Trustee of the Theatres Trust, appointed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; a Trustee of Sage Gateshead; a Trustee of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust; a Trustee of sound Scotland; a Non-Executive Director of the UK Touring Partnership; a Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Theatre Producing Consortium and a member of Aberdeen City Council Adoption and Permanence Panel. In recent years she has been a Trustee of the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock and she has served on the Executive of Culture Aberdeen.
She was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland in 2016 for her contribution to the cultural environment in Scotland as project lead/champion for four capital projects; the Stirling Tolbooth, Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and Aberdeen Music Hall. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) in 2021 by Robert Gordon University for contribution to the arts. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Jackie Wylie – Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland said
“I am thrilled that the Board have unanimously approved the appointment of Jane Spiers as the Company’s new Chair. She is the best kind of cultural leader. She matches years of exemplary executive and governance experience with an intrinsic belief in the critical value of the arts to audiences and communities alongside an unshakeable commitment to artists and innovation. I look forward to working with her, in her new role as the National Theatre of Scotland’s Chair, and for the organisation to benefit from her authentic passion for driving progressive systemic change through board leadership”
Jane Spiers, incoming Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland said:
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to be the next Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland. I have always loved the idea of Scotland’s theatre without walls, theatre that tells everyone’s stories everywhere and is inspired by people and place. Seona Reid has been an outstanding Chair and leaves a wonderful legacy to build on. I am hugely attracted by Jackie Wylie’s pioneering vision, her energy and generosity of spirit. I am looking forward to working with the Board, the team and the wider Scottish theatre community as we emerge from the global pandemic, look to the future and reflect on our part in recovery. The team’s commitment to bold vision and work that is truly representative of society in all its richness and complexity is more vital than ever. I am excited to continue the conversation and have the opportunity to champion and support the National Theatre of Scotland as we evolve and grow”.
The full list of the National Theatre of Scotland’s current serving board members can be found here
Image: Jackie Wylie and Seona Reid
Image Credit: Christophen Bowen
The Meadowbank Sports Centre will welcome the best snooker players on the planet later this year when the Scottish Open comes to Edinburgh.
Rusacks St Andrews is celebrating the 150th anniversary of The Open Championship with a series of golf-inspired offerings and new experiences.
The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to announce that Jane Spiers will be taking up the role of Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland’s board, commencing in September 2022.
More than 70 events will take place across Scotland on 21st June to mark the global annual celebration of music!
Summer 2022 marks the 20th birthday of Loch Lomond Shores and they're celebrating in style with a brand-new FREE festival called Summerfest on the 2nd and 3rd July!
A Ukrainian opera singer is among the performers launching Refugee Festival Scotland – a unique celebration of refugee arts and culture coming to towns and cities across the country.
One of Scotland's most iconic heritage attractions and star of hit TV series Outlander, Doune Castle, has reopened to the public.
Scotland’s national music prize, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today announces Stirling as the host city for its 2022 ceremony.
Showcasing a captivating mix of acts by fresh and accomplished talent, the Gilded Balloon is returning this August with a big, bold programme of outstanding entertainment!
MaMa is a new dance/multi-media production exploring the journey of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood, through Bharatanatyam dance, immersive visuals, and a blend of Celtic-Carnatic music.
Bothy Kitchen, is a new finish at home meal producer set to open at rural food and drink collective, Bowhouse, as the programme for the summer Market Weekends are launched.
As the country heads out to enjoy the Queen's Jubilee long weekend, punters are being asked to nominate and 'crown' Scotland's very best cocktail bars.
£142,040 has been awarded to 11 heritage projects as part of the Historic Environment Support Fund, administered by HES.
YMI Programme has delivered a staggering increase in children's engagement with music across Scotland.
Award-winning, independent distiller Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited edition single malt whiskies in celebration of The Open’s 150th Championship.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is calling for people in the local community to become Collection Can Volunteers to help raise vital funds.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host Bookbug Week from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.
Scotland's longest-running licensed trade awards - dubbed the hospitality Oscars, have launched their search to find Scotland's top pubs and best-loved bars today.
Rusacks St Andrews announced it has been recognized by Travel + Leisure in the publication’s annual “It List”, recognizing the world’s best 2021 hotel openings.
Aldi Scotland has taken a Scottish twist on a family favourite for any Cinco De Mayo parties this weekend by creating none other than hearty, haggis fajitas.
Sir Tom Hunter has issued a heartfelt thanks to Kiltwalk Heroes who put their best foot forward for last week's Glasgow event, revealing they helped to raise over £4 million, a record-breaking sum.
Young musicians across Scotland are set to benefit from a special £50k funding scheme to commemorate five years since the loss of 14-year-old musician Eilidh MacLeod in the Manchester Arena attack.
Exercising regularly improves brain health as much as physical fitness, say experts launching a programme to boost performance and wellbeing.
Aldi customers are set to be the first Scottish shoppers to enjoy strawberries this week as punnets hit their St Andrews store thanks to Tim Stockwell of Barnsmuir Farm.
More Historic Environment Scotland (HES) historic sites across Scotland will be reopening across Scotland for the Spring and Summer.
June will see a month of community events and celebrations held across the UK including The Big Lunch, Volunteers Week, Loneliness Awareness Week and Scottish Refugee Festival!
Two Scottish Drag Queens are set to leap from a platform suspended 40ft above the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie, as part of a charity bungee jump, and they are calling on more people to take part!
Once a myth, now no more: today explorers from the Scottish Deer Centre, near Fife in Scotland, announce that they are the first in the world to capture a live haggis.
Market leading daily deals service and online marketing company, itison has announced the return of its charity initiative, itison us and are calling out for local charities to apply now.
Nickelodeon has announced a brand new outdoor immersive event, The Nickelodeon Experience, set to launch this summer in Saughton Park, Edinburgh.