Hayward Gallery boss departs after ‘era of remarkable change’

Director of the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery, RALPH RUGOFF, is to step down in the spring, after two decades in post.

Rugoff leaves to continue work as an independent curator and writer.

During his tenure, Rugoff personally curated 23 major exhibitions and worked to develop the international touring of Hayward Gallery shows.

Prior to leading the gallery, Rugoff was director of the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Art in San Francisco, and produced arts and culture criticism for periodicals including Frieze, the Financial Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Artistic director of the Southbank Centre, MARK BALL, said that Rugoff’s “curatorial insight and skill” have “greatly contributed to London’s reputation as a global capital of contemporary art”.

Rugoff expressed his “great love” for the artists and colleagues with whom he had worked, and said: “Over the past two decades, it’s been deeply rewarding to exhibit, commission and publish some of the world’s most compelling artists; to have the support of truly inspiring art patrons, philanthropists and collectors; and to partner with great museums and art organisations around the world.

“I believe the Hayward’s programme has made a positive contribution to what has been an era of remarkable change in the contemporary art landscape. I very much look forward to watching its next chapter unfold.”