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The Jersey Opera House has appointed an experienced theatre professional as its new Interim Director – a role which was advertised to "play an important part in the development of a new future operating model for the Opera House".
Andy Eagle – who spent 11 years as CEO of Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff – will take over the role from May onwards.
Most recently, he has been working on freelance projects including advising the capital redevelopments of Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff and the Ucheldre Centre in Anglesey.
He was a board member for Arts Council Wales until November 2022 where he chaired the Lottery Capital Committee and previously, he undertook a period of secondment working for the British Council in Belgrade, Serbia.
Pictured: The proposed new façade for the Jersey Opera House.
Mr Eagle said: "I am truly delighted to be offered this role and look forward to working with the Jersey Opera House staff team, board, Government, stakeholders and getting to know Jersey’s community.
"Jersey Opera House is a gem of a building, and I am confident we can support a high-quality renovation and curate an accessible, dynamic program for it and its audiences.
"The future is exciting! As a young child I visited Jersey for my summer family holidays. Though now somewhat older, it retains a special place in my heart."
Dave Chalk, Interim Chair said: "We cannot wait for Andy to join the Opera House, and his experience with Chapter Cardiff and the Arts Council of Wales will help us in our goal to re-open the theatre as the creative and cultural hub for Jersey.
"We have a number of exciting plans which we are working with the Government on, to provide a theatre and programme the island can be proud of."
Pictured: Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture.
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture said: “I’m really pleased with this appointment, which marks a vital step forward towards the reopening of the Jersey Opera House.
"The renovation project is underway, and I look forward to supporting Andy and the team as they work to curate an exciting external programme for islanders to enjoy."
Coinciding with a Government pledge to allocate £11.5m in funding to refurbish the Opera House, a suggested plan for the Opera House's future was laid out in a £16,000 report published last October by a UK arts consultancy.
Pictured: The £11.5m proposals include improvements to the Opera House's accessibility measures.
Among its recommendations were installing five resident arts companies, expanding into the Gloster Vaults pub next door, and recruiting an Executive Director with a salary of approximately £80,000 to £100,000.
In January, the Government submitted a planning application to “fully restore” the Grade 2 Listed building with a “modern glazed” front, and improve accessibility and fire safety measures in the building.
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