Acme is entering a new chapter in its leadership, with Lea O’Loughlin appointed Chief Executive Officer as Co-Director Richard Kingsnorth steps down after 30 years with the London-based artists’ organisation.
The planned transition sees O’Loughlin move from Co-Director to CEO, providing continuity at an organisation that has become England’s largest provider of permanent affordable artist studios, supporting more than 800 artists across 15 buildings in Greater London each year.
Kingsnorth joined Acme in 1996 as a part-time Rents Manager while maintaining his own artistic practice at Acme’s Carpenters Road Studios. He became Head of Finance in 2005 and was appointed Co-Director in 2018 alongside O’Loughlin, working with Acme Co-Founder David Panton OBE until Panton’s retirement in 2025.
Over those three decades, Kingsnorth played a central role in strengthening Acme’s finances and long-term sustainability while the organisation expanded its provision of affordable studios, work/live accommodation, residencies, awards and professional development opportunities. He also helped steer Acme through the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis.
One of the most significant developments during his tenure was the acquisition of Acme Propeller Factory in Deptford, described by the organisation as England’s largest artist studio building dedicated to genuinely affordable rents. Its purchase permanently safeguards workspace for hundreds of artists.
O’Loughlin has herself been with Acme for almost two decades. She joined in 2008 as International Residencies Programme Manager, became Head of Residencies and Awards in 2017 and was appointed Co-Director the following year. Her work has included developing Acme’s artist support, international partnerships and affordable workspace strategy, alongside previous sector roles as President of global artist residency network Res Artis and a founding steering committee member of CVAN London.
Paying tribute to Kingsnorth, O’Loughlin said:
“Acme and I owe what we are today in large part to Richard’s tireless and predominantly hidden behind the scenes work. Richard embodies many of the values that make Acme what it is: principled, thoughtful and always focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for artists.”
She added that Acme enters its next phase “on foundations that Richard helped build.”
Kingsnorth said the need to support artists was “greater than ever”, adding that he was confident Acme would continue to evolve under O’Loughlin’s leadership in ways that strengthen support for artists and safeguard opportunities for future generations.
Founded in 1972, Acme provides affordable studios and work/live space alongside residencies and awards, with its current portfolio supporting more than 800 artists annually across Greater London.
About
London-based charity Acme has been supporting artists in need since 1972. Over this time, we have provided thousands of artists at all stages of career with affordable studios, work/live space and a programme of artist support through residencies and awards. We support the development and production of art by reducing the practical challenges that artists face, increasing their ability to take creative risks.
Acme is the single largest provider of permanent affordable artist studios in England, supporting over 800 individual artists across 15 buildings in Greater London each year. acme.org.uk @acme.art
