New era for Glasshouse as Abigail Pogson heads to Barbican
Leadership handover comes as the venue prepares to celebrate its 21st birthday
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has announced that its chief executive, Abigail Pogson, will step down this autumn after 10 years in the role to take up a new position as director of London’s Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest arts complex.
Abigail has overseen what the organisation describes as a “transformational period of growth, change, and impact,” including guiding The Glasshouse through the pandemic, championing artists and young people in the region, and raising its artistic ambitions.
During her tenure, the venue’s activity is estimated to have contributed £1 billion to the local economy, while its learning and participation programmes have opened the door to music for 1.8 million young people.
“Even before you step through the doors of The Glasshouse you feel the passion, belief, shared purpose, and warmth that Abigail has embedded in this organisation,” said Andy Haldane CBE, who becomes Chair of The Glasshouse board on October 1.
“We are incredibly proud of the culture here, the broad range of opportunities for artists, and of the quality of experience for both musicians and audiences.”
It has been confirmed that Deputy CEO Fraser Anderson, who has worked alongside Abigail for the past five years, will serve as Interim CEO for 12 months.
“In Fraser we are hugely fortunate to have a brilliant leader who has worked closely with Abigail for five years on the vision, direction, and delivery of our ambitions for The Glasshouse,” added Andy.
“I will leave with the North East forever in my heart and I can’t wait to watch Fraser and the team fulfil some bold ambitions for the future of music across the region.”
Abigail Pogson, outgoing CEO of The Glasshouse
“Fraser brings us both continuity and embodies our culture in his work with the team.”
Musicians associated with The Glasshouse offered warm words following the news of Abigail’s departure.
Dinis Sousa, music director of Royal Northern Sinfonia, said: “I feel hugely privileged to have worked with Abigail over the last five years. Her dedication to The Glasshouse and the music sector knows no bounds.
“The way she approaches everything with the utmost integrity and altruism is an inspiration to everyone who works with her. She leaves a great legacy in the North East and I'm very excited for her in this new chapter.”
Artist and Board member Ruth Lyon added: “As an artist venturing out on my own as a solo performer and composer, Abigail and The Glasshouse artist development team instantly made me feel welcome, relaxed in the space and confident that I deserved the opportunity.
“Abigail’s calm, creative and supportive approach has spread throughout the organisation and is a shining legacy that has and will continue to benefit countless artists who enter The Glasshouse.”
Reflecting on her departure, Abigail, who will take up her role at The Barbican at the turn of the year, said: “It has been a huge honour and an absolute joy to be a part of this extraordinary organisation through its second decade.
“I will leave with the North East forever in my heart and I can’t wait to watch Fraser and the team fulfil some bold ambitions for the future of music across the region.”
Looking ahead to its 21st birthday, the new Glasshouse guard will focus on four major ambitions: launching a new Music Academy, developing new artistic partnerships, becoming the most affordable music centre in Europe, and overseeing the most significant investment in the building since it opened in 2004.