Dr Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross have been appointed interim creative directors of Scala, a new arts and entertainment centre being built in Worcester city centre.
Phillips, artistic director of socially engaged queer arts company Mobilise Arts, and Ross, director of Dancefest which provides dance opportunities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, will develop the creative strategy and vision for the new venue. Scala will open at Angel Place in 2026.
Phillips said, “I’m passionate about Worcester's creative and cultural offer and I’m very excited about the potential of Scala for the local community and beyond. I feel very privileged to be working with Worcester city council, Kitty and the creative consortium on this ambitious project.”
Ross commented, “Scala is an incredibly exciting project that will transform the northern end of the city centre, bringing fresh opportunities for audiences and artists alike. I’m thrilled to be working with Hannah, the city council and wider creative community in Worcester to bring our shared vision to life.”
Announcing the appointments, Councillor Lynn Denham, leader of Worcester city council, said, “Hannah and Kitty are major creative talents with national reputations and many years’ experience in engaging with communities to create successful arts and entertainment events and experiences.
“Their appointment shows the ambition we have to make Scala a major new centre for entertainment, creativity and community engagement in the heart of Worcester.”