London’s sinking South Bank loses key exec
mainCreative director Madani Younis, brought in less than a year ago to make the arts centre less dormant is leaving to ‘pursue other creative interests’, it was announced today. He will leave before the year is out.
Southbank Centre chief executive Elaine Bedell said: “We have enjoyed working with Madani and he has made a significant and positive contribution to discussions about our future creative direction. We wish him well for the future.”
Sounds like a total communications breakdown. We’re trying to find out more.
UPDATE: This resignation plunges the South Bank into instant conflict with its main funder ArtsCouncil England. Madani Younis was brought in to increase programming diversity. The South Bank has showed it cannot handle change. The ACE will be demanding answers.
Main issue here to me is that they, for the second time in a row, have appointed a theatre person. The Southbank Centre isn’t a theatre and there’s a fairly decent one next door anyway. Just accept you’re a pretty amazing music venue and appoint a music person to the top job!