Dr Hannah Phillips is, today, announced as Chief Executive and Artistic Director for Scala, Worcester’s new arts centre.
The news is announced as Scala is registered as a Charity which will see the new organisation work in partnership with Worcester City Council to develop and deliver the arts centre.
Hannah is a theatre director, writer, producer and academic bringing decades of experience to continue the work she has already been delivering in developing the creative strategy and vision of the new venue.
Ian Archer, Chair of the Scala Board of Trustees said: “This appointment coincides with Scala being established as a new Charity and is the right moment for us to secure a Chief Executive and Artistic Director with the skills and experience that Hannah brings so we can look ahead to 2026 and the centre opening.”
Dr Hannah Phillips is the Artistic Director of Mobilise Arts, a socially engaged arts company which uses the arts as a tool for social change, wellbeing and to platform marginalised artists, participants and audiences. She has previously been Director of Transformation at Worcester Arts Workshop, Director / CEO of Artrix Arts Centre in Bromsgrove and Director of Young People’s Theatre at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Hannah is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Worcester, Birmingham City University and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and is a Senior Fellow for the Higher Education Association.
Dr Hannah Phillips, Chief Executive and Artistic Director said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Scala's first CEO and Artistic Director to drive this ambitious project forward with Scala’s Board of Trustees and in partnership with Worcester City Council.
“What a time to live and work in Worcester! Arts centres are built around people and place, they are built around the people that use them and are deeply embedded into local life. Everyone should have access to creativity; culture belongs to all of us! Scala will not only be a place to see and experience art but it will also be a space to create art.”
David Blake, Managing Director, Worcester City Council went on to say: “With the strong leadership capacity of Hannah and the Board of Trustees led by Ian, the new organisation is now in a fantastic position to continue to deliver Scala in partnership with the City Council.
“We would also like to thank Kitty Ross for her contribution to the development of Scala’s creative strategy both as part of the creative consortium that worked with City Council to drive the business plan for the new venue and in her role as Interim Creative Director.”
Currently under construction in Worcester’s city centre, Scala will be a place where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Opening in 2026, Scala will offer live performance, independent film, music, talks, digital experiences, dance, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and special events.
Scala will commence the recruitment of further posts before the end of the year which will be announced on Scala's social media platforms and visible on the website.
Keep up to date with via scalaworcester.co.uk or follow on Instagram and Facebook @scalaworcester
Dr Hannah Phillips is, today, announced as Chief Executive and Artistic Director for Scala, Worcester’s new arts centre.
The news is announced as Scala is registered as a Charity which will see the new organisation work in partnership with Worcester City Council to develop and deliver the arts centre.
Hannah is a theatre director, writer, producer and academic bringing decades of experience to continue the work she has already been delivering in developing the creative strategy and vision of the new venue.
Ian Archer, Chair of the Scala Board of Trustees said: “This appointment coincides with Scala being established as a new Charity and is the right moment for us to secure a Chief Executive and Artistic Director with the skills and experience that Hannah brings so we can look ahead to 2026 and the centre opening.”
Dr Hannah Phillips is the Artistic Director of Mobilise Arts, a socially engaged arts company which uses the arts as a tool for social change, wellbeing and to platform marginalised artists, participants and audiences. She has previously been Director of Transformation at Worcester Arts Workshop, Director / CEO of Artrix Arts Centre in Bromsgrove and Director of Young People’s Theatre at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Hannah is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Worcester, Birmingham City University and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and is a Senior Fellow for the Higher Education Association.
Dr Hannah Phillips, Chief Executive and Artistic Director said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as Scala's first CEO and Artistic Director to drive this ambitious project forward with Scala’s Board of Trustees and in partnership with Worcester City Council.
“What a time to live and work in Worcester! Arts centres are built around people and place, they are built around the people that use them and are deeply embedded into local life. Everyone should have access to creativity; culture belongs to all of us! Scala will not only be a place to see and experience art but it will also be a space to create art.”
David Blake, Managing Director, Worcester City Council went on to say: “With the strong leadership capacity of Hannah and the Board of Trustees led by Ian, the new organisation is now in a fantastic position to continue to deliver Scala in partnership with the City Council.
“We would also like to thank Kitty Ross for her contribution to the development of Scala’s creative strategy both as part of the creative consortium that worked with City Council to drive the business plan for the new venue and in her role as Interim Creative Director.”
Currently under construction in Worcester’s city centre, Scala will be a place where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Opening in 2026, Scala will offer live performance, independent film, music, talks, digital experiences, dance, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and special events.
Scala will commence the recruitment of further posts before the end of the year which will be announced on Scala's social media platforms and visible on the website.
Keep up to date with via scalaworcester.co.uk or follow on Instagram and Facebook @scalaworcester
Photo credit: Rachel Jones