Louise Mitchell of Bristol Beacon has been given the CBE in honor of her contributions to the arts. The New Year Honours list has recognized the chief executive of an arts facility who oversaw the transformation of its name from that of a slave trader.
She was instrumental in changing the name of the former Colston Hall, but Ms. Mitchell is also credited with expanding the audience for music.
According to her, the prize will “help boost the visibility of the arts in Bristol.”
No one works alone; one needs a range of skills to accomplish remarkable things. Ms. Mitchell continued, “I’m happy about the outstanding spirit of teamwork at Bristol Beacon.”
For a career spanning more than four decades, she was honored in King Charles III’s first list of New Year’s Honours.
As the chief executive of the nonprofit Bristol Music Trust, which manages Bristol Beacon, Ms. Mitchell has overseen the music venue’s continuing £107 million transformation, one of the UK’s largest arts regeneration projects despite its cost more than doubling.
She is credited with “reinvigorating the classical music program” by bringing to Bristol a significant staging of the three Monteverdi operas by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, which was named The Guardian’s classical music event of the year.
“Louise’s drive, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit have inspired the once-in-a-generation project to transform the primary music spaces of Bristol Beacon into a fully accessible, world-class venue, which will attract audiences and artists for the next 150 years,” said Simon Chapman, chair of the board of trustees at Bristol Beacon.
I’m overjoyed that her work has been honored in this manner; it is well deserved.
Ms. Mitchell worked in Scotland before relocating to Bristol, spending 13 years as the director of Glasgow’s Concert Halls, where she led the revitalization of two of the city’s most renowned venues, the City Halls and The Old Fruitmarket.
Members of the British Empire (MBE) have received the following additional honors:
- Bristol honored writer, Dr. Edson Burton, for his contributions to the arts and the community.
- For his contributions to local residents and veterans of nuclear tests, Jeffrey Ronald Liddiat has received recognition.
- In Bristol, Sandy Hore-Ruthven has received recognition for her work with young people.
Medal recipients of the British Empire Medal (BEM):
- The initiator of Autism Independence Nura Aabe received recognition for her work with autistic persons.
- At NHS Blood and Transplant, donor ambassador Torkwase Holmes was honored for promoting diversity in blood donation.
- Mary Golledge received recognition for her community contributions to Begbrook and Stapleton.
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