Robert Robson, artistic director at leading UK arts venue The Lowry in Salford Quays, died suddenly on 6 September at the age of 58.
Tributes have been flooding in privately and over Twitter for the softly spoken Scotsman who has headed the Salford arts centre for ten years.
Robson studied at Glasgow University and University College before working extensively in community theatre. He became artistic director of Cumbernauld Theatre in 1983 and in 1990 became the director of Mayfest. In 1994, he became the first theatre director at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen before becoming General Manager of Performing Arts Venues for Aberdeen City Council.
He joined The Lowry in 1998 as Theatres Director and was appointed Artistic Director in 2003. During that time, he has served on several dance-related working groups for the Arts Council and was chair of Phoenix Dance Theatre. His interest in dance was reflected strongly in the venue's programming, which is unrivalled in the range and breadth of world-class dancers and dance companies that are tempted to Salford.
Leading Manchester theatre critic and Manchester Theatre Awards panellist Alan Hulme said, "many of us have known him since The Lowry was still a hole in the ground and over the years since have grown to greatly admire his dedication to the venue and to value his personal friendship.
"His achievement in launching and then steering The Lowry to its much-admired position as one of the most important arts centres in the UK cannot be underestimated. And throughout, he was always sociable and friendly, a person one was always pleased to meet and to debate with, as well as admire."
Arts journalist and fellow MTA panelist Kevin Bourke added, "His enthusiasm for the arts was palpable and he seemed utterly indefatigable in checking out new shows, revisiting shows he was especially enthusiastic about, attending meetings, and wryly berating writers and broadcasters who might not yet have seen a particular production. His loss to the local and national arts scene is incalculable."