The Lowry Arts Centre Salford Quays: Director Robert Robson Dies

English: The Lowry Arts Centre, Salford Quays. The Weather wasn't too great. Date 25 July 2011 Source Own work Author Bernard Randall

The Lowry Centre Artistic Director Robert Robson has died at the age of 58. Chief Executive Julia Fawcett said in a statement. “Robert provided inspirational artistic leadership to The Lowry from the moment the venue first opened its doors in 2000; with the vision to ‘bring the world to Salford and Salford to the world’,” wrote Chief Executive Julia Fawcett in a statement. “Alongside this, he played a crucial role in the arts both nationally and internationally, including his role as Chair of Phoenix Dance and on the Board of Directors of the  International Society for the Performing Arts.” “He was respected across the industry, and will be greatly missed by his colleagues here at The Lowry and the people he worked with and supported across the country,” Fawcett continued. “We hope everyone would join us in sending our deepest condolences to Robert’s family.”

Robert Robson joined The Lowry in 1998 as theatre’s director and in early 2003 was appointed artistic director. Hailing from Scotland, where he studied at Glasgow University and University College, Cardiff. Mr Robson worked widely in community theatre and became Artistic Director of Cumbernauld Theatre in 1983. In 1990 he became Festival Director of Mayfest, Britain’s second biggest arts festival, presenting work across all the art forms and programming and commissioning the best international and British work. In 1994, he became first the Theatre Director of His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen and then General Manager of Performing Arts Venues for Aberdeen City Council. Mr Robson had been artistic director at the Lowry which houses theatres and galleries, since 2003.

Located in the heart of the city’s redeveloped Salford Quays, the Lowry is a spectacular waterside building which houses an outstanding collection of work by LS Lowry, one of the most popular British artists of the 20th century. As well as changing displays reflecting the many themes of Lowry’s work, the gallery presents a programme of innovative original art exhibitions. Two theatres and a studio space present a full schedule of performing arts. It attracted 820,000 people in 2012 and was voted the most popular visitors attraction in Greater Manchester.

Photo: The Lowry Arts Centre, Salford Quays By Bernard Randall

 

Tags

,