Skunk Anansie's lead singer Skin named chancellor of Leeds Arts University

Skunk Anansie lead singer Skin has been named the first chancellor of Leeds Arts University.
Skunk Anansie lead singer and guitarist Skin, who has been named the first chancellor of Leeds Arts University.Skunk Anansie lead singer and guitarist Skin, who has been named the first chancellor of Leeds Arts University.
Skunk Anansie lead singer and guitarist Skin, who has been named the first chancellor of Leeds Arts University.

Skin established a relationship with the university in 2019 when she visited as part of the Creative Networks events programme, providing a masterclass that was "an inspiration to all our students," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Simone Wonnacott.

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university and plays an important ambassadorial role, "one who students and staff can look to for inspiration and who can speak on behalf of the University and the creative sector," said the institution.

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Skunk Anansie - known for songs such as Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) - became the first international multi-racial band to tour South Africa and also performed at a concert held to mark the 80th birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Leeds Arts University Vice-Chancellor Professor Simone Wonnacott.Leeds Arts University Vice-Chancellor Professor Simone Wonnacott.
Leeds Arts University Vice-Chancellor Professor Simone Wonnacott.

In 1999, the band headlined Glastonbury four years after their debut appearance on the main stage in 1995.

On accepting the appointment, Skin said: “I would like to say that I am absolutely delighted and honoured to accept the role as the first ever Chancellor of Leeds Arts University, which is the only specialist arts university in the North of England.

"I visited recently, met lots of the staff and I was just really impressed with the students and the set up.

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"I'm looking forward to supporting everybody in their creative talents.”

Prof Wonnacott said: “It is a great pleasure to announce that Skin will be Leeds Arts University’s first Chancellor.

"Skin has an ongoing relationship with the University, her visit in 2019 as a part of our Creative Networks events programme and masterclass was an inspiration to all our students.

"Skin’s creative background spans many areas of the creative industries including music, fashion and art, and makes her uniquely qualified to undertake the post of Chancellor.”

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In celebration of Skunk Anansie’s 25th anniversary in 2019 the British media embraced the band's importance in today’s culture with the likes of Channel 4 News, Newsnight, The One Show, Radio 2, Virgin Radio, national newspapers and broadsheets hailing them aspillars of Britrock, as well as wide-spread acclaim from music and fashion press including Dazed & Confused, Phoenix Magazine, Diva Magazine, The Quietus, NME, Classic Rock, and Kerrang, which awarded the band their Hall of Fame Award 2019.

Skin, from Brixton, South London, was also awarded the Inspirational Artist award at the 2018 Music Week Women In Music Awards.

She is an established DJ who performs around the world at venues such as Output in New York, Sound Nightclub in LA and Fabric in London has also released techno music under the guise of Juvenal on Nichole Moudaber’s Mood Records in 2016.

Founded in 1846 as the Leeds Government School of Art and Design, Leeds Arts University on Blenheim Walk in 2017 was awarded full university status, making it the only specialist arts university in the North of England.