Nottingham Contemporary director Alex Farquharson has been revealed as the new director of London’s Tate Britain. After his stint as a founding member of Nottingham’s premier art gallery, and director since 2007, Farquharson was announced as Penelope Curtis’ replacement yesterday.
Due to criticisms over Curtis’ leadership of the cultural icon alongside particularly poorly attended exhibitions, the former director stood down after five years at the helm in March, prompting a search for an outstanding new director.
The Nottinghamshire gallery has attracted over one million visitors from all over the world
The Tate, renowned worldwide as the home of Britain’s national artworks from the sixteenth century to present day contemporary works, is delighted with its new appointment. Tate director, Nicholas Serota stated, “Alex Farquharson has established Nottingham Contemporary as one of the leading art galleries in the UK”. This comes as recent figures show the Nottinghamshire gallery has attracted over one million visitors from all over the world in its first five years open to the public. Serota then went on to to praise the 45 year old for creating a diverse and innovative programme of exhibitions here in Nottingham – which will hopefully be continued in his work at The Tate.
Farquharson’s colleague Jack Kirkland, the chair of Nottingham Contemporary’s trustees also praised Farquharson, saying “Alex is one of the great curatorial talents of his generation, and I am excited to see what he will accomplish at Tate Britain”. Farquharson himself has announced his ‘delight’ to be joining Tate Britain, adding; “I know I will miss my colleagues at Nottingham Contemporary and our partners in the city and region […] I am immensely proud and grateful for what we have achieved together.”
This announcement has bought with it some concern that there is a lack of gender diversity in the higher ranks of the art world
Nottingham’s director has known links with The Tate already as the Contemporary’s young people’s group are among those nationwide taking part in the Tate’s circuit scheme, which promotes and gives access to the arts for 15-25 year olds. In Nottingham, The Contemporary consistently promotes arts and culture to the younger generations, which alongside the gallery’s free admission was a major part of Farquharson’s work. The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are both financially involved with the gallery being two of The Contemporary’s principal funding partners; both universities coming together to fund a programme of free events, including discussions around each new exhibition.
Farquharson will take up his new role at The Tate in late autumn, enabling the Nottingham Contemporary to head in an exciting new direction with the appointment of their new director, a highly anticipated announcement. However, this announcement has bought with it some concern that there is a lack of gender diversity in the higher ranks of the art world, with the directors of all Britain’s national galleries now male after Farquharson’s appointment.
Amy Wilcockson
Image: morebyless via Flikr
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