May to leave Rural Arts

MAX MAY, Director and CEO of North Yorkshire arts charity Rural Arts, has announced he is stepping down in August.

May started his career with the organisation as an intern and returned five years later to run the organisation. He has spent three and a half years at the helm, initially focusing on developing the organisation's sustainability.

Through the pandemic, Rural Arts launched RADISH – Rural Arts Daily Inspiration while Staying at Home – which reached over 60,000 people via free online creative workshops for adults and children.

May also introduced a new brand and website, refreshed the board of trustees, invested over £100,000 in the charity’s Grade II listed home, the Courthouse, and helped the charity reached more people than ever with growing outreach programmes.

“It's been a whirlwind ride”, May said. 

“With Rural Arts in such a strong position, I feel now is the time for me to move on. Although a difficult decision for me, I have great excitement for what the organisation will go on to achieve in the future”.