Capaldi to depart ACW next year

After 13 years as Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), NICK CAPALDI has announced that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of summer 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, he expressed his admiration for the many “extraordinary artists and creative individuals” that inspire the arts in Wales, and his gratitude for the work of Council members and colleagues.

Prior to joining ACW in September 2008, he was Arts Council England’s Executive Director for the South West of England region. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, his early career was as a professional pianist.

Reflecting on recent events, he said: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been all consuming and I’ve spent much of the past year doing everything I could to help defend and protect the arts in Wales.  By the end of next summer I’m optimistic that public activity will have largely resumed and that the arts will once again flourish.

“This therefore feels like a good moment for a new person to bring fresh ideas to addressing the different challenges that will lie ahead.  It’s important that I allow sufficient time for the recruitment of my successor and I’m sure that there will be no shortage of excellent candidates for what I consider to be the best job in the arts in Wales.”