Spotlight on Suzanne Rolt, CEO at Arnolfini

Here at Business West we like to shine the spotlight on our members, and in this case one of the members of the Bristol Initiative. We sat down with Suzanne Rolt, CEO at Arnolfini to talk about their work and their relationship with the Bristol Initiative.

Tell us about your role – what do you have responsibility for? What does a typical day look like? 

When I became Interim Director in summer 2024, it’s fair to say that Arnolfini had been through some difficult times. But I was drawn to an organisation that was unwavering in its appetite for positive change and delighted when I was confirmed as CEO in May. It’s one of those big arts sector roles that you never expect to find yourself in – until one day you wake up and realise that you can’t imagine life before it!

My role is no different to any other business CEO: I provide leadership and strategic thinking, set the tone for the whole organisation, and ensure the team has everything it needs to succeed and thrive. Beneath this are 101 different tasks and challenges, but at the very top is the job of leading Arnolfini forward as it reimagines its future and defines a new vision. This involves working out how to bring a more powerful sense of purpose to our place in a rapidly changing world. And to do this in a way that recaptures the original spark that first catapulted Arnolfini into the arts world 65 years ago and made it one of the world’s most celebrated centres for the contemporary arts.

What does your organisation do? Why do you like working for them?

Arnolfini is located in a landmark building on the harbourside, right in the heart of the cultural quarter. We have galleries that show art exhibitions by some of the world’s most exciting artists (all free), and a 200 seat theatre where artists working across multiple disciplines – visual arts, performance dance, music, theatre, circus, film, fashion, design – can present and share their work. There’s never a dull moment!

We have a café/bar, bookshop and spaces where you’re welcome to make your own art – no qualifications needed, just a desire to express your own creativity. We run drawing and craft classes, activities for children and families, provide meeting spaces, and we share our building with 400 young arts students from UWE who bring a real energy to the building, and some amazing creative residents: Arts in Motion, Diverse Artists Network, Curiosity UnLtd and Let’s Make Art.

We believe the arts are a force for good in people’s lives, supporting and elevating people’s health and wellbeing and personal growth. We work closely with local community partners and have a community engagement team that works alongside art curators, programmers, specialist technicians, marketeers and fundraisers, and the numerous roles needed to make a cultural institution tick.

Why have you joined the Bristol Initiative? 

I’ve been a member throughout my time as CEO of St George’s Bristol and Quartet Community Foundation and when Chair of Bristol Cultural Development Partnership. When I joined Arnolfini, I didn’t want to lose touch with the local businesses and individuals who share a passion for shaping a vibrant, prosperous Bristol. Personally and professionally, it’s felt important to remain up to speed with the issues affecting the lives of everyone in the city and to find solutions to ease the biggest problems, from affordable housing to intelligent transport designs.

Change happens when people work together and Bristol Initiative unites the differing skills and perspectives that exist across the business, voluntary and cultural sectors. It’s a powerful thing. I also recognise that one person’s experiences of the city can be very different to another’s, and that our society is plagued by deeply entrenched inequalities that can’t be ignored. What’s striking about the Bristol Initiative is that everyone is committed to doing their best for all, not just the few. They understand that growth takes time, focus and has to be the ‘good’ kind - which means being sustainable, responsible and inclusive. I share this view and want to play an active part in promoting and delivering it.

What are the key agendas that you’re looking forward to getting involved with?

I’m keen to ensure that the voices of the arts and cultural sectors are heard and celebrated. They have a major role to play in place making and, as part of the creative industries, they contribute hugely to the economy and to the generation of skilled, and rewarding, jobs. Bristol is a city known worldwide for its unique cultural scene and it draws millions of visitors to the region every year – it’s a vital, not nice to have, aspect of our lives and makes our city what it is.

This month Arnolfini marks 50 years of being based on the harbourside at Bush House. When it moved into a once derelict building, no one could have predicted that it would be the catalyst for a complete transformation of this area of the harbourside. It’s a story that’s been repeated around the city. And in summer 2027, Arnolfini will be at the centre of the British Art Show, an international event already generating huge excitement and opportunities for the city. My hope is that these events can become part of the next chapter in Bristol’s story and provide the perfect opportunity to bring our business community together in celebration. 

Where is your favourite place to visit in Bristol? 

An impossible question! It’s tempting to suggest Arnolfini, St George’s, The Mount Without or one of the many arts venues that fill my life with amazing experiences but I’ll avoid the easy route. So, Amnesty Bookshop on Gloucester Road. Its shelves are always packed with well thumbed, second-hand books that open up new worlds and experiences. I love the generosity that comes from people donating their favourite books and wanting others to share in the joy of their discovery, while supporting a hugely important charity.

And as someone whose whippet is now the centre of their universe and needs lots of walks, I’d have to choose Ashton Court Estate. As I get older, I’m increasingly appreciative of the natural world and it’s the green spaces that make Bristol so special. You can wander through the parkland and meadows at any time of year, seeing deer, birds and ancient trees that have stood for hundreds of years. And you can sit quietly and take in the wonderful views out across the city, tuning into the gentle hum of city life which sometimes breaks out into rapturous whoops from the stadium! It brings peace and perspective and that makes it priceless.

If you'd like to follow Suzanne on social media you can do so on Linkedin here, and you can find out more about Arnolfini on their website, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Also, if you are a member of The Bristol Initiative and would like to be featured in a blog just like this one then you can get in touch with me.