British performance director hired for Galway 2020 European capital of culture

British performance director, curator and writer Chris Baldwin has been appointed creative director of the Galway 2020 European capital of culture.

Mr Baldwin, who recently directed four of the largest events for the 2016 European Capital of Culture in Wroclaw, Poland, is taking up the position with immediate effect.

He will work with Galway 2020's recently appointed chief executive officer Hannah Kiely.

Mr Baldwin studied acting, theatre and music and is best known for his development of site specific performances, including Teatro de Creacion (TdC), an approach to making large scale interdisciplinary performance designed for and about a place in collaboration with its people.

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Award-winning plays

He wrote and directed two pieces of work for the 2012 London Olympic Games, has written and staged award-winning plays, and has published work on theatre and the teaching of history in post authoritarian countries.

He teaches regularly at a number of European universities, and has been visiting professor at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London.

Welcoming his appointment, Galway 2020 board chair Aideen McGinley said the board was inspired by his vision for the city.

She said Mr Baldwin’s international experience and relationships would create “many new opportunities for more artists, communities and organisations to further connect with Galway 2020”.

Mr Baldwin's appointment comes on the eve of the annual Galway Film Fleadh, the 40th anniversary of the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Fringe Festival.