New faces step up as arts supporters

Sunday 12 March 2023

Two of the island's biggest arts organisations are this week celebrating key appointments, with an acclaimed performer and playwright becoming the Arts Centre's new Honorary Patron, and the former Lieutenant-Governor stepping up as Chair of ArtHouse Jersey.

Tim Crouch — an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning writer, director, performer and theatre-maker — will be supporting the Arts Centre in his new role for the next five years.

He recently performed his award-winning solo show 'Truth’s A Dog Must to Kennel' at Jersey Arts Centre’s Festival 40 anniversary celebrations in January 2023, and will be returning later in the year to perform another of his lauded pieces, 'I, Malvolio' on Tuesday 16 May.

“The honour of being Jersey Arts Centre’s new Honorary Patron is all mine. From many years of international touring, there are few arts venues I know that combine a progressive and genuinely inclusive programme of live performance with such a cherished place in their community," he commented.

“Jersey is lucky to have an arts organisation that punches so brilliantly above its weight. I'm delighted to be able to deepen my relationship with it and to offer what support I can to further its success.”

Meanwhile, former Lieutenant-Governor Sir Stephen Dalton has been appointed as chair of ArtHouse Jersey, succeeding Philip Hewat-Jaboor, who died suddenly last year.

Sir Stephen, whose five-year tenure as Lieutenant-Governor came to an end in June last year, said he was "delighted and excited" to be joining the board of trustees and looked forward to helping bring all elements of the arts to islanders.

"Art really has the power to engage people from hugely different backgrounds and cultures and to help them to think through their personal challenges," he said.

"Part of ArtHouse Jersey's intent is also to help improve the well-being of islanders and in so doing help them to be more productive in their daily lives, and I am keen to do all that I can to help in this wonderful endeavour."

Pictured: Former Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Stephen Dalton.

Sir Stephen joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 after graduating with an honours degree in aeronautical engineering from Bath University. His early career was spent as a frontline pilot on the Jaguar and Tornado aircraft, but he led multi-disciplinary and international teams on key programmes for over 20 years, holding the rank of Air Chief Marshal on his retirement in 2013.

During his time as Lieutenant-Governor, which began in March 2017, Sir Stephen and his wife Anne, Lady Dalton, were regular supporters of many arts events and organisations in the island.

Announcing the appointment, the charity's Vice-Chair, Gailina Liew, said that they had been impressed by the quality of candidates offering themselves and that they were delighted to welcome Sir Stephen and two new board members, Visit Jersey's PR Manager Ashley Proudfoot and Lady Jersey, to the organisation. 

"My thanks go to fellow trustees and the entire team at ArtHouse Jersey, who worked together to deliver an outstanding programme of events while also undergoing an intensive organisational development programme that has culminated in a strengthened team and the addition of three new trustees," she said.