Kenyatta to chair Battersea Arts Centre

CLAUDIA KENYATTA is the new Chair of Battersea Arts Centre (BAC). 

Kenyatta is currently Director of Regions at Historic England. Prior to this, she spent two decades in central government with senior appointments in arts, heritage and museums policy, corporate strategy, and performance at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Cabinet Office. 

She succeeds BAC’s interim chair JUSTIN SHINEBOURNE, who joined the organisation in 2019 replacing former chair DAVID BRYAN.

Alongside her new role, Kenyatta is continuing as Trustee of Brixton-based Black Cultural Archives.

“I have been a huge admirer of BAC’s boldness, its artistic vision and its unique relationship with the local community for a long time,” Kenyatta commented.  

“BAC holds a special place in people’s hearts, and the organisation’s new vision for the coming years will place them right at the centre of the community, giving more power to young people and local networks.”

Artistic Director and CEO of BAC TAREK ISKANDER said he is “thrilled” Kenyatta is joining the team.

“We are at a pivotal moment at BAC as we embark on ambitious new plans to radically evolve our youth, community and artistic programmes. 

“BAC is blessed with a highly skilled and diverse board who are a huge part of our work: they and the rest of BAC’s team are feeling really energised by the extensive expertise, new perspectives and natural leadership qualities that Claudia brings.”