Iniva is delighted to announce Gerard Lemos as its new Chair
Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) is delighted to announce Gerard Lemos as its new Chair. Gerard Lemos has been on the Board of the British Council for over 10 years, most recently as Acting Chair. He brings a wealth of experience as an opinion former and driver of social policy in the arts and government. He takes up the role of Chair with immediate effect.
Gerard Lemos has left a lasting legacy at the British Council since he joined as a Board member in 1999 followed by the position of Deputy Chair. He is currently a Partner at Lemos & Crane Social Research, and visiting professor in international social policy at Chongqing Business and Technology University, China.
Previous positions include Chair of the Akram Dance Company from 2003-2008; Chair of the Notting Hill Housing Group (2004-2006), and Civil Service Commissioner (2001-2006). In the past he has taken on major advisory roles for the Cabinet Office, Social Exclusion Unit, Treasury and Arts Council England's cultural diversity committee. As an academic, he has also written on social policy, regeneration and cultural diversity.
Gerard Lemos: "I am delighted to be chosen to chair Iniva. I am particularly honoured to be succeeding Stuart Hall as Chair as well as being part of shaping the organisation's future with its excellent artistic programme and vital role in diversifying the visual arts sector for a changed contemporary scene. It is a well respected organisation, and I want to build on its international credentials. I look forward to working with the Trustees, Chief Executive and rest of the Iniva team."
Tessa Jackson, Iniva's CEO: "I am delighted that Gerard Lemos has accepted the position of Chair, his commitment to the arts and its role in affecting social change will be invaluable as Iniva enters a new phase of its development, extending our reach, reputation and impact."
Gerard Lemos becomes the 2nd Chair since Iniva was founded in 1994. From its inception it has been chaired by the eminent cultural theorist Professor Stuart Hall. Iniva programmes exhibitions and events at Rivington Place, where it has been based since 2007, as well as off-site. It also initiates research and new media projects.
Notes to Editor
For further press information please contact:
Clare Roebuck croebuck@iniva.org Tel 020 7749 1247
Head of Communications
Biography
Gerard Lemos CMG (b. 1958) studied English and History at the University of York, followed by a post-graduate certificate in accountancy and finance. He has held various voluntary appointments: the most recent being Acting Chair of the British Council (July 2009 - March 2010), Deputy Chair since 2003 and a Board member from 1999. He was Chair of the Akram Khan Dance Company (2003-2008); Board Member at The Place Theatre (2001-2003); Vice-chair of Homeless International (1998-2000) and a Board Member of LIFT (London International Festival of Theatre (1993-2001). He is currently employed as a Partner for Lemos & Crane Social Research (since 1990); Vice-President of the British Board of Film Classification (since 2008) and Professor in international social policy, Chongqing Business and Technology University, China (since 2006).
In the past he has been employed as Chairman of Notting Hill Housing Group (2004-2006); Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (2001-2006); Director of Studies at the School of Social Entrepreneurs (1997-1999) and Director of Asra Housing Association (1982-1985). He has been part of advisory groups, committees and commissions including the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit's advisory group on ethnic minorities in the labour market (2002); Chair of the Social Exclusion Unit, Policy Action Team on community self-help (1998-1999), and Chair of the Arts Council of England's cultural diversity committee (1998-1999). He has written publications on communities and neighbourhoods as well as on supporting vulnerable people: Community Conflict: Causes and actions (2004); The Communities We Have Lost and Can Regain (1997), and Urban Village, Global City: the regeneration of Colville 1993-1998 (1998).
About Iniva
Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) engages with new ideas and emerging debates in the contemporary visual arts, reflecting in particular the cultural diversity of contemporary society. We work with artists, curators, creative producers, writers and the public to explore the vitality of visual culture. (www.iniva.org)
Iniva at Rivington Place
Opened in 2007 and home to Iniva and Autograph ABP, Rivington Place is a RIBA award-winning contemporary visual arts space designed by architect David Adjaye OBE. It is dedicated to the display, debate and reflection of global diversity issues in the contemporary visual arts. Rivington Place houses two major project spaces, an education space, and is home to the Stuart Hall Library. The building was realised with thanks to funding from the Arts Council England Lottery Capital 2 Programme and Barclays, the Rivington Place founding Corporate Partner. Barclays £1.1m contribution is part of a much wider programme of community support.
Iniva is supported by Arts Council England.
The Rivington Place project also gives thanks to London Development Agency, City Fringe Partnership, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Hackney Council and The City Bridge Trust for their support as well as The Foyle Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation. Thanks also to Brodksy Centre and Clifford Chance for their in-kind support.
(www.rivingtonplace.org)
