Glasgow International art festival appoints new director

Glasgow International, Glasgow’s biennial festival of contemporary art, has appointed HELEN NISBET as its new director.

Nisbet will take up the role this summer 2025, ahead of the 11th edition of the festival, which takes place in June 2026. 
 
She replaces previous director, RICHARD BIRKETT.


Nisbet was a jury member for the 2023 Turner Prize and has held a variety of roles in the visual arts, including CEO and artistic director of Cromwell Place, London, and curator at Cubitt.

She was the artistic director of Art Night and, as a freelancer, has curated exhibitions across the UK and internationally.

EMMA NICOLSON, Creative Scotland’s head of visual arts, said that Nisbet brings “a wealth of experience” to the festival, adding that she was “excited to see how her curatorial vision and commitment to artists and audiences will influence and shape its future direction”.

Nisbet, who is originally from Shetland, said, “I’m excited to work with, and learn from, the festival team and to be amongst the gorgeous light, energy, artists, communities (and even the rain) in Glasgow again.”

Glasgow International has also announced two other key appointments to its team: PELUMI ODUBANJO joins as curator and MARTEL OLLERENSHAW becomes festival manager.