Hackney Empire Artistic Director steps down

Artistic Director (AD) and Joint-Chief Executive YAMIN CHOUDURY will leave his role at Hackney Empire next year to "pursue new opportunities".

First joining the organisation at 17, Choudury worked in various producing roles before he became Joint-CEO and AD in 2018. 

A practitioner, producer and director, he has worked internationally in performing arts, media and commercial music industries. In September, Choudury began part-time work at Haringey Council as Assistant Director of Culture and Creativity.

During his tenure at Hackney Empire, Choudury has focused on access and pathways into the sector for diverse, representative and emerging artists, ideas, audiences and participants.

Together with Executive Director and Joint-CEO JO HEMMANT, Choudury increased youth engagement with the expansion of the free year-round programme of engagement Creative Futures, which works with over 4,000 young people. 

 Until he steps down in September 2024, Choudury will continue to shape programming, collaborate with other venues, companies and artists, and direct the 2024 Artist Development Programme show as part of the Creative Future programme. 

Information about the recruitment process for the appointment of a new artistic director will be announced in early 2024.