The organisers of Manchester International Festival have named Low Kee Hong as Creative Director.
Kee Hong is currently Head of Theatre, Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority in Hong Kong. He’s previously been Artistic Director and General Manager of the Singapore Arts Festival and Founding Director and General Manager of the Singapore Biennale.
“I am truly honoured and excited to be given this amazing opportunity to work with Manchester International Festival and The Factory,” he said.
“It is an organisation I have always admired for its visionary and bold take on what tomorrow can look like. I look forward to working with a team of amazing humans who firmly believe the extraordinary and transformative experience of the arts for our communities as we build towards futures we all want to be part of.”
In the new role, he’ll work alongside John McGrath, MIF’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive to develop the artistic programme for The Factory, which is set to open next year.
He’ll also lead on the future shape and programme for the festival.
“I am delighted that Low Kee Hong will be joining MIF at this significant moment in our history. Kee Hong is admired by artists, producers and programmers around the world for his passionate, knowledgeable approach to curating festivals and venues. He has worked with many of the world’s great creative figures and is also deeply committed to involving the widest possible range of communities and voices,” added John McGrath, Artistic Director & Chief Executive MIF & The Factory.
“Kee Hong will join MIF in the year before we open The Factory and will be working with me and the curatorial team to develop an exciting range of new projects for the space. Equally importantly, he will be leading on the future programme for the Festival – re-imagining MIF for the years ahead in ways that connect both locally and globally. I look forward to welcoming him to Manchester.”
He will take up the post of Creative Director in April.
