Full Name
David Sulkin OBE
Company
Arts Strategist and Writer
Speaker Bio
David Sulkin has had a long career in the arts following graduation in Theatre Arts in 1973.
He has been a champion of access and inclusion and responsible for several major initiatives to reach people from all backgrounds who have not always been able to develop their talents and skills.
David went to Africa where he worked in theatre and for the broadcaster, the Voice of Kenya. He was a member of the Hoxton Hall Theatre project in the late 70s and then, in 1980 became Director of the Royal Court Young People’s Theatre and the Young Writer’s Festival. He took a leading role in establishing the International Festival of Young Playwrights in Australia and then, in 1985, was asked, with Rebecca Meitlis, to establish the Baylis Programme at English National Opera.
In 1990 David directed plays at the Drama Studio in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic and operas at the National Theatre in Prague. He was then asked to take on the role of Associate Director of the ‘Janáček in Hukvaldy’ festival in the composer’s home village, in Moravia.
In 1999 David became Director of Policy and Programmes at the National Foundation for Youth Music and, in 2009, CEO of Help Musicians UK. In 2014 David was made OBE in the late Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his work in arts, education and charity.
In 2017 David was appointed Director of Artist Development at the National Opera Studio where he led on Diverse Voices - a programme to create access to training for people of all backgrounds. Diverse Voices was nominated for its ground-breaking approach to diversity at the International Opera Awards in 2023.
David is now chair of Hoxton Hall and working on two projects about the lives of Leoš Janáček and the author Radclyce Hall.
He has been a champion of access and inclusion and responsible for several major initiatives to reach people from all backgrounds who have not always been able to develop their talents and skills.
David went to Africa where he worked in theatre and for the broadcaster, the Voice of Kenya. He was a member of the Hoxton Hall Theatre project in the late 70s and then, in 1980 became Director of the Royal Court Young People’s Theatre and the Young Writer’s Festival. He took a leading role in establishing the International Festival of Young Playwrights in Australia and then, in 1985, was asked, with Rebecca Meitlis, to establish the Baylis Programme at English National Opera.
In 1990 David directed plays at the Drama Studio in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic and operas at the National Theatre in Prague. He was then asked to take on the role of Associate Director of the ‘Janáček in Hukvaldy’ festival in the composer’s home village, in Moravia.
In 1999 David became Director of Policy and Programmes at the National Foundation for Youth Music and, in 2009, CEO of Help Musicians UK. In 2014 David was made OBE in the late Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his work in arts, education and charity.
In 2017 David was appointed Director of Artist Development at the National Opera Studio where he led on Diverse Voices - a programme to create access to training for people of all backgrounds. Diverse Voices was nominated for its ground-breaking approach to diversity at the International Opera Awards in 2023.
David is now chair of Hoxton Hall and working on two projects about the lives of Leoš Janáček and the author Radclyce Hall.
Speaking At
