We chat to the new Director about her first impressions and her vision for the RWA…
“…What has impressed me most is the breadth of the community who make up the RWA and the energy that they bring. The Friends are a hugely important part of that and it is wonderful to have such a dedicated and engaged community….”
The Friends were delighted to welcome Ren Renwick to her role as the new Director of the RWA, replacing Alison Bevan. With a background in drama and the arts, Ren has previously headed up a national health charity and the Association of Illustrators. She moved to Bristol from London six years ago, with her Kiwi husband and two school age children.
Here’s our Q&A…
Congratulations on your appointment as the new Director of the RWA! How is it going so far?
Thank you! I’ve had such a warm welcome from people who are generously (and patiently!) getting me up to speed. There is so much to learn! It’s a real pleasure every day to meet more of the community who make up the RWA and learn more about the history. While I knew it was a super busy place with lots going on, the closer you get, you realise there is so much more to it. We are bursting with events, people, ideas and of course, art.
What drew you to apply for the role? What was your impression of the RWA prior to taking on the position?
I’ve always had a love of the RWA. When I was doing a Masters in Bristol I couldn’t help but be drawn to the wonderful, imposing building. It felt like a hidden gem, with a programme of exhibitions that was incredible, but not as well known about as it could be. As I learnt more about the RWA history and unique make up I’ve realised that it is such an important part of the fabric of Bristol, from its architecture to its values and origins with strong women at its heart.
We also do so much outside of the building itself. The free Scribble and Sketch sessions for families, held in four different locations around Bristol, along with the workshops we run in the community with groups like Dhek Bhal, and BRAC (Bristol refugee artist collective), are a testament to our ethos that art is for everyone.
Can you tell us a little about your professional background and your relationship to the arts?
I got involved in the backstage of theatre as a teenager and never looked back. It was a really transformative experience for me. I followed those experiences with a really innovative degree at the Central School of Speech and Drama which looked at how drama and creativity can empower and enrich communities. From there I worked in a range of settings; touring theatre, BBC education (as was), CBBC, film making, an arts centre on the beach in Melbourne, Australia and a local authority in London.
In all the roles I did I was supporting artists and makers to thrive; looking at budgets, pinning down schedules, coordinating marketing. I realised that I really enjoyed management and working with great teams to make extraordinary things happen. The Association of Illustrators was my first CEO role, which included navigating the pandemic (and very loosely homeschooling my children) and growing the turnover substantially.
My most recent role was leading a Bristol based national health charity (The Pituitary Foundation). It was a huge privilege to step into a different industry, and while it sounds very different, in fact I was doing the same job as before (and as now!), just in a different setting. I learnt a lot, and we achieved some great things. But what I learnt most importantly is that my passion is for the arts. I may have fallen into it as a teenager, but I still passionately believe in the importance of us being able to make and enjoy great art in our lives and in our cities. It gets me out of bed in the morning!
What has most impressed or surprised you about the RWA?
The people! Without a doubt the breadth of the community who make up the RWA and the energy that they bring. The Friends are a hugely important part of that and it is wonderful to have such a dedicated and engaged community. Just how remarkable you are is evident in the range of activities you organise and the success of your fundraising. While the financial support is both vital and generous and very gratefully received, having your involvement and energy is genuinely inspiring to the team.
The Academicians are of course central to who we are, and it’s a pleasure meeting and working alongside such great artists who somehow carve out time to ensure we are running well. Likewise, the volunteers and freelance staff bring so many different skills and experiences which not only makes it possible to open our doors but also creates the story of who we are. The staff team is so impressive. They work so hard, and so clearly love the RWA – you can’t help but be impressed!
Can you share your vision and ambitions for the RWA?
I’m looking forward to shaping this over the coming months as I meet more people and understand more about who we are and where we sit in the ecology of arts in the South West.
I’d like to focus on four questions; How can we ensure our exhibitions are inspiring and accessible? How can we welcome more people from more backgrounds and geographies? How can we ensure we have the funds to realise our ambition and how can we be a great place to work?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – what we have got right? What could we do more of in the future? I’ll be in touch in a few months about this, but if you’ve something burning to share please do drop me a line via info@rwa.org.uk.
The Floating Circle 