Tonya Nelson Joins Arts Council England's Executive Board

Today we’re pleased to announce Tonya Nelson, currently the Arts Council’s London Area Director, will be joining our Executive Board in July. 

From 1 July 2023 Tonya Nelson will join the Arts Council’s Executive Board as Executive Director, Enterprise and Innovation. 

Tonya joined the Arts Council in 2019 as our first Director of Arts Technology and Innovation, and took up her current position of London Area Director in 2020. 

On the appointment, Tonya said:

“I believe that new ideas and enterprising behaviour are triggered by challenging times, and in this role I look forward to supporting our world leading creative and cultural sector in navigating the current financial environment, to become stronger and more innovative organisations in the future. 

“I’m eager to join the Arts Council’s Executive Board and continue working with dedicated, inspiring people, from the Arts Council and beyond. I leave my post in the London Team at an exciting time, with a new portfolio of organisations that better reflect the diversity of London and deliver on the objectives of our strategy, Let’s Create.” 

Our Chief Executive, Darren Henley said: 

“Over the past four years, Tonya has become an increasingly important part of our senior leadership team and I’m thrilled that she’s now stepping up to our Executive Board. I know that she’ll make a big impact on our work around innovation, helping to create the conditions where artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries can serve their audiences, participants and visitors in new exciting ways. We’ll also benefit from the breadth of Tonya’s experience across a range of areas that will now report into her, including our work on environmental sustainability, philanthropy and fundraising, and loan financing.” 

About Tonya:

Prior to joining the Arts Council, Tonya was seconded to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2017 where she co-authored the policy report Culture is Digital.

Tonya sits on the board of Trustees of The National Gallery and the Royal Collection Trust, which looks after the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of His Majesty The King.

Formerly, Tonya was Chair of the International Council of Museums (UK), Bomb Factory Art Foundation and a member of Christie’s Art World Professional Advisory Group. She worked for University College London for nine years, rising to the level of Director of Museums and Cultural Programmes.

Prior to entering the cultural sector, she was a barrister and management consultant in Washington, DC, where she grew up.

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