Arnolfini Bristol joins 'Cultural Cities' discussions with the DCMS

Arnolfini, Bristol (photo by Hannah Atkinson)

Future Cities Forum welcomes the Executive Director of Arnolfini Bristol, Gary Topp, at this month's 'Cultural Cities' panel discussion with Lord Mendoza of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Arnolfini is Bristol's international centre for contemporary arts, located in the harbourside heart of the city. Housed in a prominent Grade II listed building, Arnolfini is an inspiring public space for contemporary arts and learning, which hosts half a million visitors per year (pre-pandemic figure). It remains at the heart of the Bristol community, operating on the original founding director Jeremy Rees' principle to 'enjoy yourself and inviting everyone to join in.'

Gary Topp has led Arnolfini as Executive Director since February 2019 taking the organisation through a period significant change and progress to re-establish Arnolfini as a leading UK centre for contemporary arts in a partnership with University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.

He has been chief executive of a range of cultural organisations across the UK and in Australia over a 30- year career including Yorkshire Culture, Greening Australia and Culture Central. Gary began his career as a visual arts curator and museums manager in Dorset and Teesside. He has extensive leadership experience working within the context of social and economic change and placemaking. He is Chair of Trustees at the Leach Pottery, is an FRSA and holds a number of other board and advisory roles.

Below: Gary Topp, Executive Director, Arnolfini (photographed by Lawrence Bury)