A new chief executive has been appointed for a Lake District arts organisation.
Luis Martins, who has spent the last 18 months as acting chief executive of Lakeland Arts, has now been named as its permanent CEO.
Lakeland Arts said he had provided steady and thoughtful leadership, guiding the organisation during a time of considerable challenge for charities within the arts and heritage sector.
Under his leadership, the organisation has continued to care for its historic sites and collections at Abbot Hall, Windermere Jetty Museum and Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, while supporting local participation and engagement and delivering enriching cultural experiences to communities across Cumbria.
He said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed CEO of Lakeland Arts.
“Over the past 18 months as acting CEO, I’ve come to appreciate even more deeply the unique role the organisation plays – caring for remarkable heritage while championing creativity and making culture more accessible in Cumbria.
“It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a committed team of staff and volunteers, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come together as we continue to grow our impact and ensure creativity, heritage, and community remain at the heart of our future.”
Diane Reid, chair of trustees at Lakeland Arts, added: “Luis has already had a significant impact on Lakeland Arts, bringing energy and strategic focus to the way we work.
“Under his leadership, we’ve not only strengthened the organisation’s role within the community but also begun to develop our ambition for the future.
“This is an important moment for Lakeland Arts, and I’m confident that, under Luis’s leadership, we will continue to make Lakeland Arts a place where creativity thrives, heritage is preserved, and communities are strengthened.”
The board of trustees formally appointed Luis.
Lakeland Arts recently secured major awards from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund to support the development of the Abbot Hall site in Kendal.
