Mark Robinson has been appointed as interim director of Middlesbrough’s flagship modern art gallery, Mima.

The move follows the announcement of Director Kate Brindley’s departure after nearly five years to join Arnolfini Centre for the Contemporary Arts in Bristol.

The appointment has been agreed with Arts Council England and Teesside University which is taking over the day-to-day running of mima under a new partnership with Middlesbrough Council.

Mr Robinson, who is a former Executive Director of the Arts Council in the North-East, drew up the business plan for the transfer of the gallery from the council to the university.

CUTS LOBBY: Anti-cuts campaign group, Teesside People's Assembly against Austerity will be lobbying against cuts and redundancies at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Monday when Middlesbrough Council meets to set its budget for 2014/15. Cuts totalling £15m are expected with the loss of 300 council jobs while another 300 will be transferred to other organisations contracted to carry out some council services. The lobby will start at 5.45pm outside the town hall before the council meeting which starts at 7pm.