Leading outdoor arts specialists Without Walls have announced the appointment of esteemed theatre lead Kully Thiarai as Chair.
Kully brings extensive experience of commissioning, producing, and directing work nationally and internationally. She has created a diverse range of work that spans communities, cultures and performance styles; made large scale epics, new plays and created work for non-theatres spaces.
Most recently, Kully was Creative Director and CEO of LEEDS 2023, a role which saw her oversee over 1,700 events as part of a £24m international year of culture project for the city of Leeds. Prior to that she was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of National Theatre Wales. Over three decades her career has also included being the founding Director of Cast (opening the £22 million performance venue in Doncaster as the cultural living room for the town). Artistic Advisor for Contact Theatre where she spearheaded their artistic vision, and the Artistic Director of Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership and Red Ladder Theatre Company.
Kully is currently Chair of new writing company Paines Plough and Co-Chair of Slung Low along with Alan Lane, a trustee of The Art Foundation and National Theatre Scotland. She is an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and was winner of the inaugural Northern Asian Power list Cultural Icon Award in 2020.
Speaking about her new role, Kully Thiarai says, “I’m thrilled to be joining Without Walls as Chair and look forward to working with Ralph, the Board, and the staff team to continue the great work that Jo has done, including her work with Maggie Clarke and XTRAX, in establishing Without Walls as a pioneer in our sector. Equally, to engage and support our network of partners and artists to further our collective mission in cultivating and championing excellence in outdoor arts”.
Kully’s appointment to Without Walls Chair marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation as they continue to push forward their vision as trailblazers for innovative and accessible outdoor arts. The announcement coincides with the news that Manchester will be the partner city for Barcelona’s iconic La Mercè festival next year. The project will establish a cultural collaboration between the two cities for artists, organisations and other partners. Kully will begin her role in January 2025.
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