Matthew Rooke leading the Case for Culture Refresh

Matthew Rooke was appointed by the North East Culture Partnership to lead the analysis of consultation feedback from the Case for Culture Refresh. Since April 2022 we’ve received over 150 online survey responses and led region-wide group meetings. At the Annual Forum on 12 July we will share with you the findings from the consultation, inviting your thoughts and feedback which will inform the Case for Culture Refresh.

As an arts manager and researcher he has held senior positions in Scotland and England’s Arts Councils and for over a decade led a wide number of independently research and development assignments spanning the cultural sector including ministerial appointments.

He has been Honorary Professor of Music and Theatre at St Andrews University since 2017 and is a Governor of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Matthew has direct knowledge and experience of working in the North East as a result of spending eight years from 2012-2020 as CEO and Artistic Director of the Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed, during which time he expanded its remit to embrace visual arts, assuming responsibility for The Gymnasium and Granary Galleries; added two industry standard digital cinema facilities and conceived and led the campaign to secure over £15m of public investment to redevelop the venue.