Ð԰ɵç̨

An arts and cultural leader, who graduated from Ð԰ɵç̨ Leicester (Ð԰ɵç̨), has been appointed as the new Midlands chair for Arts Council England.

Pawlet Brookes MBE, founder and CEO of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, will take up the four-year role this month. She succeeds Sukhy Johal MBE, whose term as Midlands chair ended in September.

The appointment marks another milestone for Pawlet, in a career spanning more than three decades of advocacy for Black arts, heritage and cultural equity.

Through Serendipity, Pawlet has established projects such as Let’s Dance International Frontiers, Black History Month Leicester, and The Living Archive, a digital heritage collection celebrating Black British arts and culture.

Pawlet said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair for Arts Council England’s Midlands Area Council. I look forward to working alongside colleagues, partners and communities to champion creativity across the region, ensuring that artists, organisations and audiences have the opportunity to thrive and that the Midlands continues to be a place where culture is celebrated, supported and made accessible for all.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “Pawlet brings a wealth of expertise to this role with a proven commitment to cultural equity, artistic excellence, creative innovation and community engagement. I look forward to working closely with her to support artists, organisations and audiences across the Midlands.”

Earlier this year, Pawlet was part of a panel discussion at the House of Lords as part of Ð԰ɵç̨’s Talent 25 programme, which explores how to support children’s creativity from the earliest age. Speaking at the event, she highlighted the importance of early access to culture and the need to “broaden definitions of creativity beyond traditional boundaries”.

And this summer, Pawlet - who holds a BA in Arts Administration and a Master’s in European Cultural Planning from Ð԰ɵç̨ - accepted an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Ð԰ɵç̨.

Addressing students at the ceremony, she said: “Ð԰ɵç̨ has played such an important role in shaping my own journey, not just academically but professionally and personally.

“Throughout my career I have worked at the intersection of arts, heritage and social justice. That’s where I believe the real work begins.

“It is in this space that creating becomes a tool, not just for expression but for resistance, for renewal.”

Pawlet, who was awarded an MBE in 2021 for services to cultural diversity, will chair the Midlands area council and work with senior Arts Council leadership on funding, policy and regional engagement.

Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of Ð԰ɵç̨, said: “Pawlet has been a tireless advocate for equity in the arts and an inspirational role model for our students and alumni. This appointment is richly deserved.”