Wembley Park, London’s Newest Creative District, announces the appointment of Josh McNorton in the role of its first Cultural Director.
McNorton will lead the establishment of Wembley Park Arts, a dedicated cultural programme resulting from Futurecity‘s 3-year collaboration with Quintain to realise and develop Wembley Park’s Cultural Placemaking & Public Arts Strategies.
Wembley Park Arts will work across commissioning, co-production, cultural infrastructure support and develop local, national and international partnerships.
The appointment of a Cultural Director marks another milestone in Quintain’s growing role as an ambitious and confident cultural player, placing cultural sustainability at the heart of the regeneration of Wembley Park.
| Futurecity has developed an integrated cultural programme drawn from their strategic and advisory role in developing culture-led strategies and public programmes for cultural districts such as New York City’s Times Square, London’s Exhibition Road, the Sydney Culture Network, London City Island and Boston’s Avenues to the Arts. |
James Saunders, Chief Operating Officer, Wembley Park, comments, “Wembley Park is unique – it has an amazing cultural heritage, we are creating the largest build to rent neighbourhood in the UK, and now we are creating a whole cultural ecosystem with the particular needs of the local community in mind. Whether a resident, a shopper or a day tripper, creating exceptional experiences every day is what Wembley Park is about. Wembley Park Arts is key to delivering that, from our brilliant free cultural programme to creating new partnership and opportunities.”
The appointment is timed to support Wembley Park’s role across key events in the 2020 Brent Borough of Culture festival programme, as well as with numerous cultural partners throughout the year.
On his appointment, Josh McNorton says, “It’s hugely exciting to be starting working in what now feels like the world’s most famous neighbourhood. There’s something special in the air at Wembley Park, from the buzz of big gigs and major sporting events to more intimate experiences in our new cultural venues and community spaces. I’m keen to build on Wembley Park’s existing cultural legacy, whilst bringing new and engaging ideas to the area.”
McNorton was chosen due to his varied background in producing, curation and programming includes: Head of Arts & Culture Programmes at multi-disciplinary East London arts centre Rich Mix; Co-founder of the world’s first sensory arts and research festival, Open Senses (2017); Producer at Nesta’s flagship festival for the future, FutureFest (2014-2016). McNorton moved to the UK from Canada in 2012 to produce a large-scale, outdoor entertainment programme for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sherry Dobbin, Partner, Futurecity, adds, “Josh McNorton has the perfect combination of skills required for working alongside the Wembley Park team. His experience covers cultural producing at many scales, development of cultural partnership network, and an advanced understanding of the future digital arts sector to ensure Wembley Park Arts will thrive on the dynamic global cultural scene, as well as creating a vibrant place for residents, visitors and workers.”
| Other Futurecity Cultural District Strategies to Explore: Cockle Bay Wharf (Sydney, Australia) Avenues to the Arts (Boston, USA) Greenwich Peninsula (London, UK) |