A New Chapter for The Stove: Co-Founder Matt Baker to Step Down as CEO in 2025
In the summer of 2025, co-founder and CEO Matt Baker will step down from his role, marking the next stage in The Stove’s journey.
This transition has been carefully planned for over a year to ensure a seamless handover and a strong foundation for the future.
While Matt will be stepping back from his current role, The Stove is delighted that he will remain part of the organisation in a newly created part-time position as ‘Prospector.’ In this role, he will continue his vital work in regional and national strategy and policy development, forging new opportunities for The Stove and the wider region.
Reflecting on his decision, Matt shared: “The challenge I set myself in co-founding The Stove was to build something that would stand the test of time—an innovative and sustainable arts organisation rooted in my home region. The final step in that process is stepping back, allowing it to stand strong on its own. I’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone that has been part of making The Stove possible, from funders, partners, artists and all the communities we have worked with.”
Matt co-founded The Stove Network in 2011 as an evolution of his work as a public artist. Throughout his 30-year career, he has been deeply committed to harnessing creativity and encouraging active participation within communities.
As CEO, Matt has played a crucial role in shaping The Stove’s direction, ensuring that collaboration, empowerment, and positive progress remain at its core. His influence extends beyond Dumfries and Galloway, having made a significant impact on regional, national, and international cultural policy.
While this news marks the end of one chapter, it signals the beginning of another—one that The Stove approaches with optimism and ambition. The organisation’s core mission, vision, and direction remain unchanged, and it will continue to evolve alongside the creative community of Dumfries and Galloway.
This announcement comes at a pivotal moment, following the recent Multi-Year Funding Award from Creative Scotland, which secures The Stove’s place as a national portfolio arts organisation for another cycle. This funding, based on The Stove’s 2025-28 business plan, supports its ongoing commitment to community-embedded creative practice in Dumfries and regional placemaking across Dumfries & Galloway.
The Stove expresses its deep gratitude for Matt’s extraordinary leadership and dedication to both the organisation and the wider community of Dumfries and Galloway. His passion for creative placemaking has been instrumental in shaping The Stove into what it is today
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