Canadian Curators Leading Barbican and Spike Island Art Institutions in the UK
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Two prominent UK arts institutions are set to welcome new leadership. Devyani Saltzman of Canada has been appointed as the director for Arts and Participation at the Barbican arts centre in London. Saltzman, previously the director of public programming at the Art Gallery of Ontario, brings a vision of creating a new ethos in public institutions that serves the people and presents cutting-edge programming. She will be releasing a new book titled “EXITING: Towards a Future of Work that Serves Us All” next year.
Saltzman’s appointment comes after Will Gompertz left his position as director of arts and learning at the Barbican to lead London’s Sir John Soane’s Museum. The Barbican underwent staff reorganization in 2021 following reports of prejudicial behavior, with Gompertz spearheading the organization’s anti-racism efforts. Saltzman joins a new wave of appointments at the Barbican, including Ali Mirza as director of People, Culture, and Inclusion.
In addition, Nicole Yip, originally from Canada, has been named the new director of Spike Island, Bristol. Yip, currently the chief curator of exhibitions & live programs at Nottingham Contemporary, will assume her new role in June. She takes over from Robert Leckie, who recently joined Gasworks in London as director.
Yip curated exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary featuring artists Paul Mpagi Sepuya and Dora Budor. Sepuya, a Los Angeles-based photographer known for intimate portraits, showcases over 40 works in Nottingham, while Budor presents newly commissioned works on the built environment. Yip previously served as the director of Lux Scotland and held curatorial positions at Lux, London; Firstsite, Colchester; and ICA, London.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.