The creative industry took a step closer to having its own venue with the appointment of a senior manager who has started to make placements available to students.
Former Rawlins student Jess Vollar – Bell has been made CEO of the Generator Gallery Loughborough, expected to open this autumn and she’s already planning with students to offer work experience.
Jess said she welcomed a fantastic group of University of Leicester students studying art museum and gallery studies (MA) to explore placement opportunities.
“We were impressed with such promising candidates and looking forward to having some of these bright, vibrant minds join our family soon!” said Jess.
The Generator Gallery, largely funded by the Town Deal has been in the making for around a decade and is part of the restoration of the old Loughborough College art school building on Frederick Street. Situated on the former site where the turbine generator was housed the intention is to maintain a vibrant space where artists and other creatives can come together with the community and other organisations to enhance the area’s cultural development.
The site is being rebuilt to offer a creative space to hold about 250 people with smaller areas and should host exhibitions, concerts, theatre and dance.
Jess was as an actor in London after graduating from Guildford School of Acting and then worked in venue management.
“I am driven by a deep commitment to fostering vibrant cultural experiences that are accessible and available to all. With a strong foundation in the industry’s creative and operational sides, I intend to bring a unique blend of artistic vision and practical expertise to The Generator,” said Jess.
Volunteer director at The Generator CIC, David Pagett-Wright said: “Jess’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping The Generator’s future, and we are excited to see the meaningful impact she will make in the Loughborough arts and cultural community as well as the wider Midlands’ scene”.
Charnwood News 
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