Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director

The Board received a report of the Managing Director providing an update from each of the Centre’s Directors.

The Managing Director advised that the Cultural Hub was progressing with colleagues across the City Corporation and external partners.

The Director of Arts advised that Benedict Cumberbatch would be starring in a production of Hamlet at the Centre during summer 2015. She added that the Centre’s Arts Council grant application had recently been submitted and her team were working through the action points from the recent cinema presentation discussion. 

'The Director of Creative learning reported the recent success of Barbican Box and looked forward to the upcoming launch of the Barbican Art Book.  He also reported that Creative Learning projects in the first three months of 2014 had already involved sustained engagement with 1500 young people in East London.

The Chairman was encouraged by the work the Centre were undertaking to ensure the Board were aware of the views of this important next generation of Barbican users.

The Operations and Buildings Director reported that practical completion had been awarded on the Theatre Flying System replacement project and that the Centre would no longer be housing birds in the Garden Rooms as this was considered detrimental to their welfare.

The Chief Operating and Financial Officer reported on the touring success of Digital Revolution, Bond and Game On 2.0.

The Chairman noted the disappointment at the cancellation of the Just Jam event but hoped that work since undertaken to ensure better co-ordination and understanding between the Centre and the City of London Police would assist in the smooth running of any future events.

The Chairman emphasised the importance of working across the City Corporation to achieve a Cultural Hub. In response to a Members comments, the Managing Director stated that all stakeholders, including the City of London Festival, would be included within the consultation.