Mark Doyle joins the Contemporary Art Society from the Lowry in Salford where he has held a contemporary art curatorial position since 2004. Mark was previously Assistant Arts & Museums Officer for East Devon District Council.
This new post forms part of a major new pilot initative funded by Arts Council England, North West for a three-year period. Mark’s role is to develop the audience for contemporary art and collecting in the region by implementing new programmes of engagement around collecting within the region, connecting to London and international projects, biennale, art fairs and other events.
Founded in 1910, the Contemporary Art Society (CAS) is the national membership organisation for contemporary art enthusiasts and collectors. We exist to support contemporary artists and to promote collecting by both individuals and institutions, and through diverse activities generate the funds which enable us to purchase significant works of contemporary art to give to public collections in the UK, where they can be enjoyed by the widest possible audience now and in the future.
Paul Hobson, Director of the Contemporary Art Society said: “This new and important pilot scheme takes us into unchartered territory since the market for contemporary collecting outside of London is so undeveloped. We are excited about the potential to develop an infrastructure in the North West and are fortunate to have found in Mark someone who combines a high level of contemporary curatorial knowledge with experience of working with museum collections, artists and temporary contemporary exhibitions, and insight into the regional visual arts ecology.”
Mark Doyle said “I have always admired the work of the Contemporary Art Society and feel privileged to be joining the organisation at an exciting time in its development when it looks to extend its influence outside London. I very much look forward to the task of creating a new membership scheme for the North West and to building an informed and engaged constituency with an interest in contemporary art and collecting in the region.”
Mark Doyle takes up his position in April 2009.