Andrew Byrne Named New Artistic Director of Symphony Space

Symphony Space has announced that Andrew Byrne will be joining Symphony Space as Artistic Director on September 15, 2014. Australian-born Byrne moved to New York in the 90s on a Fulbright Scholarship to study for a doctorate in music at Columbia University. He is assuming this leadership role after ten years at Carnegie Hall, eight of which were spent as Director of Festivals and Special Projects.

Symphony Space was seeking an artistic leader with the energy, inspired vision, and strategic skills to help keep Symphony Space vibrant and vital on the New York and national cultural landscapes. Says President and CEO Cynthia Elliott, "Andrew's expansive approach to programming and ability to identify unique connections between programs and artists are an excellent match for Symphony Space, where we produce over 300 performances every year in extremely diverse genres such as Literature in Performance, Music, Comedy, Film, Family Programming, and Education. Under Andrew's artistic leadership, we will be well poised to continue growing audiences and programs while making a significant contribution to the artistic life of New York City and beyond." Symphony Space Chairman of the Board Steven Aresty adds, "Andrew joins Symphony Space armed with best practices from Carnegie Hall as well as a leadership style and vision that we anticipate will inspire staff, artists, creative partners, and audiences alike. We are all thrilled about this appointment and very much looking forward to Andrew joining the team."

Andrew Byrne had this to say about his upcoming role at Symphony Space: "It is an honor to be joining the leadership team at Symphony Space. I look forward to developing engaging and innovative programs that build on Symphony Space's legacy of great artistry and inclusiveness. It's a rare opportunity to work for an institution that has such a deep history with the local community, a strong reputation within national arts scene, and both a dedicated tri-state audience for its live performances and a significant national reach to audiences around the country through the radio broadcasts and podcast downloads of Selected Shorts. I see an invigorating future ahead and am incredibly excited to be a part of it."

For more than 36 years, Symphony Space has produced and presented artistically and culturally diverse music, literary, family, and film programs that bring artists and audiences together in an atmosphere of exploration and intimacy. Its signature events include Selected Shorts, performed live at Symphony Space and nationally broadcast on public radio; Bloomsday on Broadway; and Wall to Wall free music marathons.

Symphony Space's President & CEO is Cynthia Elliott.