Festivals Edinburgh Appoints Lori Anderson as New Director

Festivals Edinburgh has chosen Lori Anderson as its Director after conducting a global search. She will take over from Julia Amour, who is set to step down in October 2024. Lori Andersons main focus will be leading the organization through its phase of growth aligning with the goals outlined in the 2030 Festival City Vision. With her experience, including her role, as Director of Culture Counts—a network of arts, heritage and creative industries organizations in Scotland—she is well equipped for this position.

Founded in 2007, Festivals Edinburgh is a high-level organization created and driven by the directors of Edinburgh’s 11 major international festivals. It leads their joint strategic development and works to maintain their leadership role both locally and globally.

A recent study referred to on the Edinburgh Festival City website reveals that the Edinburgh Festivals have reached new heights in popularity, owing to their unique and compelling reputations, which have significantly aided in reviving jobs and livelihoods. The festivals have achieved a notable cultural and economic impact with a reduced carbon footprint and have boosted engagement with local communities and schools by over a third since 2018. Lori Anderson will assume her role amid substantial changes in festival strategies and broader cultural and tourism policies. These changes include the introduction of a Visitor Levy by the City of Edinburgh Council—the first of its kind in the UK—and a national campaign advocating for increased cultural investment, supported by the Scottish Government’s commitment to raise cultural funding by £100 million in the coming years.

In response to her appointment, Lori Anderson stated that “The Edinburgh Festivals are among Scotland’s greatest cultural treasures, known both domestically and internationally for their immense cultural, economic, and social contributions. I’m well aware of the challenges facing our cultural landscape, but I’m equally impressed by the Edinburgh Festivals’ resilience and adaptability. I look forward to taking on this vital role at the heart of the festivals community.”

Lori Anderson, currently the Director of Culture Counts, has been a key advocate for Scotland’s cultural sector, influencing policy changes and representing arts, heritage, and creative industries organizations. Her past roles include Development Manager at Scotland + Venice, where she shaped the strategic vision for the Venice Biennale’s flagship project. She also served as interim Director at Creative Dundee and Head of Development and Enterprise at Collective Gallery, managing the City Observatory redevelopment on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill. Anderson’s experience extends to positions at Museums Galleries Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. She holds a degree in Scottish History from the University of St Andrews and serves on the board of Fife Contemporary. She is also a former vice chair of the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN).

“Lori joins us at a pivotal moment for our festivals landscape. While we’ve rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, the broader cultural ecosystem remains fragile. We face numerous challenges in the coming years, but there are also significant opportunities. We believe Lori is an exceptionally strong advocate who will help shape our collective future,” remarked Simon Gage, Chair of Festivals Edinburgh on the festival’s official announcement.

Source: Edinburgh Festival City

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