Hayward Gallery director to ‘bridge the gap’ between art and community

SALLY TALLANT is returning to the Hayward Gallery to take the reins as director, nearly a quarter of a century after working at the Southbank venue early in her career.

She takes over from RALPH RUGOFF, who will step down in spring 2026 after 20 years in post, but will provide curatorial oversight for a major retrospective of Anish Kapoor, opening on 16 June as part of the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

Director of the Queens Museum in New York, Tallant was previously artistic director and chief executive of the Liverpool Biennial from 2011 to 2019 and head of programmes at the Serpentine Gallery from 2001 to 2011. Prior to this, she was an assistant curator at the Hayward Gallery.

MARK BALL, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, praised Tallant as a “visionary leader” and curator whose work “perfectly mirrors” the venue’s ambitions to be “innovative and interdisciplinary”.

“Sally understands how to create world-class encounters that bridge the gap between art and community. As she joins us in this landmark year, I look forward to seeing her bring the Hayward Gallery into the future with a spirit of openness, energy, and radical accessibility,” he said.

Noting that Tallant joins the venue’s leadership team at a “pivotal moment” ELAINE BEDELL, chief executive of the Southbank Centre, said: “I am confident Sally will ensure the legacy of the Festival of Britain propels the Southbank Centre into a new era of civic impact, strengthening our commitment to artists and audiences alike for the next 75 years.”

Tallant said that it was “an honour” to build on Rugoff’s “outstanding legacy” adding that she is “delighted” to be returning to London.