Belfast International Arts Festival welcomes city’s former cultural strategist

CHRIS MCCREERY will take the helm at Belfast International Arts Festival as its new artistic director and chief executive, succeeding RICHARD WAKELY, who announced his departure last year after 12 years in post.

McCreery previously led Belfast City Council’s Cultural Strategy, overseeing a £4.5 million investment portfolio that supported more than 100 organisations. He also played a central role in delivering a city-wide programme to celebrate Belfast’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music, and in 2014 founded the NI Science Festival.

Festival chair, FIONA KANE, said McCreery has proven to be a “dynamic, entrepreneurial leader” with a “fresh vision” who has had an “undeniable” lasting cultural impact on the city of Belfast.

“Chris McCreery has already made a significant contribution to Belfast’s cultural life and his creativity, extensive knowledge and experience will bring a further rich dimension to the Belfast International Arts Festival,” added the chief executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, ROISÍN MCDONOUGH.

McCreery said he was “deeply honoured” to be joining a festival which “has long been a beacon for bold ideas, international collaboration, and artistic excellence”.

“I’m excited to work alongside the talented team, our partners, and the wider arts community to build on its remarkable legacy and explore new ways to connect, inspire, and celebrate creativity in Belfast and beyond,” he said.