WRITER, PERFORMANCE artist and producer, Keisha Thompson, has been named as the UK’s first poet to run a multi-arts venue.

Thompson, 32, was announced as Artistic Director and CEO of Contact in Manchester, a vibrant multidisciplinary arts venue recognised nationally and internationally as a game-changer in the field of youth leadership and creativity.

Thompson has been associated with Contact as an artist and leader since she was 15.

She will be the first woman, first Mancunian and at 32, the youngest to run Contact. Starting work in June 2022 as Contact celebrates its 50th year, Thompson is charged with creating a ‘castle of curiosity’ and ‘place of opportunity’ for young Mancunians in their visionary and sustainable new building. 

Former young participants at Contact often go on to found or lead other organisations. However, now Contact boasts two of them in senior leadership positions, Thompson as Artistic Director and CEO and Chair of the board Junior Akinola.

Thompson enthused: “I met so many different people at Contact and had my perspective changed and just really got that sense of what youth leadership can be.”

She added: “I want to make sure that this ethos, culture and environment is protected because it was so beneficial for me and so many people that I know. It is how I became such a natural advocate for what Contact is about.”

Thompson will continue to support the next generation of artists and creatives so they can go into the world at an international standard.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham praised the appointemt: “This is a brilliant appointment.

“Contact is one of the most exciting theatres in the country, and we are proud to support them through the Greater Manchester Culture fund in recognition of the opportunities they provide for young people from across our city-region.

“Keisha is a great example of the impact of this support, having developed her career with Contact over the past decade to get to a point where she is ready to lead the organisation. 

“Keisha is a valued member of the Greater Manchester Culture and Heritage Steering Group and brings passion and insight to all our discussions, especially around how we can support our young people to fulfil their potential. I know she will do the same for Contact and can’t wait to see what she achieves.”

Thompson studied philosophy and politics at the University of Manchester and later trained as a Mathematics teacher whilst touring her first show for Contact ‘I Wish I had a Moustache’. Her favourite place to be in Manchester was in Contact’s lounge where she was often found ‘bashing out essays’.

Keisha Thompson said: “I cannot wait to invite everyone into the castle. I like using the word curiosity because it is agile. It can mean you want to be playful.

“It can mean you want to be academic and interrogate something. It can mean you want to explore your identity. Or it can mean that you want to walk in an odd-shaped building and experience something new and experimental. So that’s why I like ‘Castle of Curiosity’. It’s the 50 year anniversary. It’s time to celebrate then elevate. Bring on the trumpets!”

Thompson plans to develop ways for Contact to be more commercially viable through new partnerships outside the arts sector. She will develop her role to be accessible to support new artists, encouraging more young people to be future cultural leaders through creative risk-taking.

Akinola, Chair of the Board for Contact said: “We’re so excited to welcome Keisha Thompson as our new Artistic Director and Chief Exec.

“Keisha has shown her dedication and commitment to Contact through her years of experience working with and being an artist here. Keisha’s extensive CV and artistic profile speak for themselves, she is a trailblazer and an individual who consistently over the years has not only pushed the envelope with her creative ideas but also in the way and manner that she’s executed them.

“We support Keisha’s vision and look forward to welcoming her into the post in June.

“To have an individual of Keisha’s stature join us is truly priceless and we all can’t wait to see her flourish in the role, exciting times ahead for sure.”