Post by Kev on Mar 15, 2004 7:46:54 GMT -5
APPLICATIONS have flooded in from across the globe for the final senior position on Liverpool's Capital of Culture team.
Successful figures from the political, artistic and commercial sectors of three continents are vying for the role of artistic director.
More than 30 people are now being whittled down to make a short-list of just a few who will be interviewed during the coming weeks.
From California, Auckland, Amsterdam, Paris, Melbourne, Helsinki and the UK, they are evenly split between men and women.
Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "We are quite excited by the names that this post has attracted.
"They more than matched our expectations and we are facing some very difficult decisions in reaching the short-list.
"Many of them have delivered high-profile, world-class international festivals.
"This is a very competitive field and the challenge we face to pick somebody from such a high-quality field is a reflection of the genuine desire within the arts community to be a part of something special that is happening in Liverpool."
An international headhunter was brought in to find the perfect applicant for the role, dubbed the "most challenging job in the arts world" by the city council.
Heather Newill, of AEM International, has previously selected the chief executive of the Royal Opera House and artistic director of the English National Opera.
The artistic director will work alongside creative director Sue Woodward, who commissioned the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, to develop the events programme for 2008.
It will also include planning Liverpool's year-long 800th birthday party in 2007.
David Henshaw, city council chief executive, said: "This position is fundamental to the way in which Liverpool will perform and be judged on the international stage in 2008 and beyond.
"They should set a new standard of excellence for which Liverpool will become renowned.
"With this new appointment we will have a world-class team in place to ensure that the next five years will come to redefine this city for generations to come."
The appointment is expected to be made by mid-April.
Also due to start next month are the three most recent additions to the Capital of Culture team.
Marketing director Kris Donaldson, tourism director Jason Harborow and operations director Kevin Johnson will all join full-time from the first week of April.
Successful figures from the political, artistic and commercial sectors of three continents are vying for the role of artistic director.
More than 30 people are now being whittled down to make a short-list of just a few who will be interviewed during the coming weeks.
From California, Auckland, Amsterdam, Paris, Melbourne, Helsinki and the UK, they are evenly split between men and women.
Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "We are quite excited by the names that this post has attracted.
"They more than matched our expectations and we are facing some very difficult decisions in reaching the short-list.
"Many of them have delivered high-profile, world-class international festivals.
"This is a very competitive field and the challenge we face to pick somebody from such a high-quality field is a reflection of the genuine desire within the arts community to be a part of something special that is happening in Liverpool."
An international headhunter was brought in to find the perfect applicant for the role, dubbed the "most challenging job in the arts world" by the city council.
Heather Newill, of AEM International, has previously selected the chief executive of the Royal Opera House and artistic director of the English National Opera.
The artistic director will work alongside creative director Sue Woodward, who commissioned the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, to develop the events programme for 2008.
It will also include planning Liverpool's year-long 800th birthday party in 2007.
David Henshaw, city council chief executive, said: "This position is fundamental to the way in which Liverpool will perform and be judged on the international stage in 2008 and beyond.
"They should set a new standard of excellence for which Liverpool will become renowned.
"With this new appointment we will have a world-class team in place to ensure that the next five years will come to redefine this city for generations to come."
The appointment is expected to be made by mid-April.
Also due to start next month are the three most recent additions to the Capital of Culture team.
Marketing director Kris Donaldson, tourism director Jason Harborow and operations director Kevin Johnson will all join full-time from the first week of April.
