Slavin becomes Rural Arts CEO

MICHAEL SLAVIN is joining North Yorkshire charity Rural Arts as CEO in January.

He will leave York Theatre Royal, where he has spent five years as Operations Director, to take up the role from outgoing CEO MAX MAY, who departs after four years. 

May will continue involvement with Rural Arts through his new role as Strategic Director of North Yorkshire Together. The two organisations form a partnership that delivers FEAST, a programme of free food and activities for young people on benefits-related Free School Meals. 

“As someone who grew up in North Yorkshire and has a deep love for its people and places, the opportunity to lead Rural Arts was irresistible and I’m delighted to be joining in the New Year,” Slavin commented. 

He adds: “It’s an incredible organisation which delivers a diverse and engaging range of projects across a huge geographic area whilst genuinely changing people’s lives for the better.”

Under his leadership, Slavin said Rural Arts will deliver a “diverse programme of work” enabling every person and community in North Yorkshire to access culture.