Worcester City Council has announced that Dr Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross will be the interim creative directors of Scala, the new arts and entertainment centre being built in the city centre.
It is set to open its doors in 2026.
Dr Phillips, who is also the artistic director of Mobilise Arts, and Ms Ross, the director of Dancefest, will be responsible for developing the creative strategy and vision for the new venue.
Dr Phillips said: “I am passionate about Worcester’s creative and cultural offer and I am very excited about the potential of Scala for the local community and beyond.
“I feel very privileged to be working with Worcester City Council, Kitty, and the creative consortium to facilitate this ambitious project.”
Ms Ross said: “Scala is an incredibly exciting project that will transform the northern end of the city centre, bringing fresh opportunities for audiences and artists alike.
“I am thrilled to be working with Hannah, the city council, and the wider creative community in Worcester to bring our shared vision to life.”
The council has also appointed Dr Paul Sutton, artistic director of C&T, as Scala’s creative advisory panel lead.
Dr Sutton said: “I’m thrilled to be getting to work on how Scala can collaborate with the wider creative community of Worcester.
“As well as looking at what we can learn from other organisations across the country, my top priority is listening to the artists and creatives in our city and finding ways to make Scala a place that inspires all of us.”
Councillor Lynn Denham, leader of the council, said: “Hannah and Kitty are major creative talents with national reputations and many years of experience in engaging with communities to create successful arts and entertainment events and experiences.
“Their appointment as interim creative directors, alongside Paul Sutton as creative advisory panel lead, shows the ambition we have to make Scala a major new centre for entertainment, creativity, and community engagement in the heart of Worcester.”
The project is being funded by a share of the £17.9 million grant secured from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.