Interim Director for Hastings Contemporary
Arts powerhouse Kathleen Soriano is to become the Interim Director of Hastings Contemporary, taking up her new role in January 2025. She is an independent curator, strategic consultant and broadcaster. She acts as Chair of the Liverpool Biennial, is on the Advisory Council for the (gorgeous) arts venue 2 Temple Place, and is a specialist advisor to the National Trust. With over 35 years’ experience in the art world, she has been responsible for contemporary and historical exhibitions, collections and public programmes at the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts, where she was Artistic Director (2009-14), as well as at Compton Verney Art Gallery, where she was previously Director. She has lectured and written extensively on art and her book Madam and Eve on women artists, co-authored with Liz Rideal, was published in April 2018. Her broadcast activities include the ten series of Portrait and Landscape Artist of the Year for SkyArts. She is taking over the position from Liz Gilmore, who is stepping down from her role after 14 years to become CEO of The Sherborne, a new landmark gallery and arts space in the South West.
Soriano says “I have long been an admirer of Hastings Contemporary, and what has been achieved there, so it is an honour to be part of the team taking the enterprise forward and planning for the gallery’s future. Hastings Contemporary is one of the most impressive and entrepreneurial cultural organisations in the UK and I couldn’t be more pleased and excited to be joining the team at this exciting phase in their development.“
Professor Andrew Corbett-Nolan, Chair of Hastings Contemporary, said “The Board of Trustees is absolutely delighted to be welcoming Kathleen Soriano [who] will be invaluable to us as we plan for the future, including the rollout of our new mobile studio, our continuing ambitions for digital innovation and the development of a new capital master plan following the recent acquisition of the 99-year lease for the Hastings Contemporary building.”
Hastings Contemporary is a registered charity. Under 18s can visit for free. Hastings and Rother residents can visit for half price, from just £5. For unlimited free visits, discounts, and more, annual membership starts at £32. hastingscontemporary.org Instagram @hastings.contemporary Details of 2 Temple Place: twotempleplace.org Liverpool Biennial: biennial.com Compton Verney: visitbirmingham.com/listing/compton-verney/135026101
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply