Suzanne Rolt has been confirmed as the new Chief Executive Officer at Arnolfini, Bristol’s internationally renowned contemporary arts centre. The appointment comes following a period as Interim Director and as the organisation prepares to mark 50 years at its prominent harbourside home this October.
Rolt brings extensive experience across the cultural and charity sectors. As former CEO of St George’s concert hall in Bristol, she led a multi-million-pound capital transformation project which established the music venue as one of the UK’s most celebrated. She subsequently ran the West of England’s largest grant-making charity, Quartet Community Foundation, working to strengthen local communities through philanthropy.
In 2019, she was named UK Concert Hall Manager of the Year and has curated multiple festivals and series in partnership with BBC Radio 3 and 4. She continues to review classical music releases for BBC Music Magazine and currently chairs contemporary dance company IMPERMANENCE.
“It’s been a total joy to renew my ties with Bristol’s cultural scene, stepping into this leadership role at one of the country’s most pioneering and acclaimed contemporary visual arts spaces,” Rolt commented. “Arnolfini has a long and prestigious history and I feel privileged to be charged with steering it as it maps out a new and bold future. We have a fantastic team here and I’m genuinely excited about what we can achieve together.”
Neil Sachdev, Chair of Arnolfini’s board of trustees, said: “Suzanne has already made a tremendous impact, bringing stability and momentum to our work, reconnecting us with our vision and delivering meaningful progress. Under her leadership, we’ve not only stabilised operations but also begun to reimagine our future.”
The appointment coincides with Arnolfini’s 50th anniversary at its harbourside location this October, marked by a major new exhibition by Emma Talbot featuring co-commissions with Copenhagen Contemporary.
“We’re using this milestone as a chance to look both back and forwards,” Rolt explained. “Arnolfini has always been about pushing boundaries and taking risks whilst holding to our founder Jeremy Rees’ philosophy that everyone entering the space should ‘Enjoy Yourselves’.”
Since opening in 1961, Arnolfini has built its reputation as one of the UK’s most ambitious contemporary arts venues, consistently championing experimental work across visual arts, performance, film and music.
