Swaledale Festival appoints new artistic director

Swaledale Festival has named FRASER WILSON its new artistic director.

He takes over from MALCOLM CREESE, who stepped down in July after 17 years in post.

Wilson joins the annual festival of music, arts and walking in the North Yorkshire Dales from Britten Pears Arts in Suffolk where he was head of performance and public engagement.

Previously, he worked for organisations including Sheffield’s Music in the Round and Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bridge and was a professional composer and arranger.

Commenting on his new role, Wilson said: “It is exciting to think about where the festival could go and how we can achieve it together. I am looking forward to the adventure of discovering that with the team, with musicians and artists from near and far, with our many visitors, and with the whole Dales community.

“It will be especially important for us to consider who we don’t yet connect with and to bring a warm invitation to more and different people to be part of it. I would like the festival to be neighbourly in its community, to welcome visitors and creative ideas from far and wide, and to be a source of colour, inspiration and joy – reflecting the unique nature of this place and its people.

“Many people already see it as a special happening. It is a huge pleasure and privilege for me to be part of its bright future.”

Chair of Swaledale Festival, Dr SUSAN MILLER, added: “Under Malcolm’s leadership, the festival has grown from a relatively small-scale series of concerts to become the highly successful, wide-ranging and much-respected festival of today, and we would like to pay tribute to his commitment and vision.

“We are delighted to have appointed Fraser Wilson as our new artistic director and are very excited about the next chapter in the festival’s story.”