MUMBAI: BBC News has appointed Will Gompertz to the newly-created post of Arts Editor. Gompertz is currently Director of Tate Media.

Gompertz has worked in the arts since he was 18 years old and founded a successful visual arts publication at the age of 25. Since then he has written, produced, published and commented on the arts in the UK and internationally. He will take over his new role soon.

Said BBC Director of News Helen Boaden, "This is an exciting appointment. Will has great passion, experience and knowledge of the arts. He is a great communicator and is full of ideas about how we could use new media more effectively, share arts news with out audiences. He will make an important contribution to our arts coverage in News and across the BBC."

The creation of an Arts Editor role for BBC News is part of the BBC's deeper commitment to arts and music on the BBC throughout 2010 with a wide range of initiatives aimed at supporting cultural Britain and better serving the public.

These include ideas like the recent pan-BBC Poetry Season which saw poetry sales surge and BBC Radio 3's year-long celebration of Purcell, Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn.

The BBC has made a new commitment to partnerships in the arts, including working with the Arts Council England to transform public engagement by showcasing young talent, sharing technology and collaborating on live events.