LONDON, UK.- The Institute of Contemporary Arts announced that Ekow Eshun has been appointed as the new Artistic Director. Eshun brings to the ICA his extensive experience with world class arts organisations including the University of Arts, London, Tate Members and the London Arts Board and will assume the role from May 2nd.

A highly esteemed writer and broadcaster, Ekow Eshun is respected as an articulate and passionate advocate of contemporary arts and culture. He is a contributor to BBC’s Newsnight Review, The Daily Politics and Radio 4’s Front Row and has written and presented a number of documentaries on TV and radio. In 2000 Eshun was awarded, alongside Jon Snow, the Christian Aid Lifestyle Award at The One World Broadcasting Trust’s Media Awards for Channel 4's Living on the Line - a travel documentary across eight countries that addressed citizenship and education.

Ekow Eshun is the former editor of Arena, a role he assumed at the age of 28, making him the youngest appointed editor ever on a men's magazine - and saw him named as one of Britain’s 30 most talented people under 30 by the Evening Standard. Today he writes for publications including The Guardian, The Observer, New Statesman, Sunday Times and Wallpaper.

His first book, Black Gold of the Sun, charting his search for his roots in Africa, will be published by Penguin in June 2005. Eshun is also a founding director of Bug Consultancy, an entrepreneurial creative consultancy established in 2000, whose clients include Motorola and Sony Playstation. He is also Editorial Director of Tank, an international fashion and art magazine.

Ekow Eshun served as an ICA Council member from 1999 - 2003, helping administer both the artistic programme and the ICA's budget and has remained a vocal and passionate supporter of the Institution. He also sits on the board of Tate Members (2003 - present) and is a Governor of the University of Arts London (2001 - present). As a Governor, he has helped oversee major capital development projects, including new sites for the Chelsea College of Art and the London College of Communications. As a board member of Tate Members, Eshun has supported the acquisition of works across the artistic landscape, including Turner Prize winner Rachel Whiteread’s Untitled (Stairs) and Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili's The Upper Room.

Ekow Eshun said on his appointment, "I first visited the ICA when I was 18 and I’ve been committed to it ever since because it’s a place that remains dedicated to exploring new ideas. That’s why the ICA is important - it challenges the way you think. I am delighted to have this opportunity to ensure that the ICA continues to present work that is passionate, provocative and speaks of now."

Alan Yentob, Chairman, commenting on the appointment said, "This is a terrific appointment for the ICA, which has always been an ideas driven Institution. Ekow is not only a passionate advocate for the arts but the breadth of his interests and experience right across the cultural spectrum will guarantee the institution a strong forward thinking artistic vision."

Sarah Weir, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London, said "This is an extremely imaginative appointment for the ICA. Ekow has a wealth of experience as a writer, broadcaster and creative thinker, which will ensure a dynamic artistic programme for the ICA going into the future. As the ICA's major funder, we fully support his appointment."

Born in 1968, Ekow Eshun grew up in London, and holds a degree in politics and history from the London School of Economics and Political Science.