Concerns Over Leadership Changes at the Barbican Arts Centre

Devyani Saltzman, the arts director at the Barbican, is set to leave the institution in May 2026, prompting significant concern among cultural figures. Over 170 prominent individuals, including Salman Rushdie, John Akomfrah, and Pankaj Mishra, have signed an open letter expressing their disappointment regarding her departure. Saltzman, who took on her role in February 2024, was recognized as one of the 40 most influential women in the UK arts sector and was seen as a pivotal figure in shaping the Barbican's artistic vision and community engagement.

The Guardian

The letter from cultural leaders highlights that Saltzman's exit coincides with the arrival of a new CEO, raising questions about the Barbican's commitment to diversity in leadership. The signatories emphasized that her departure is not merely an internal staffing issue but has broader implications for the institution's direction and its representation of diverse communities. Saltzman had previously articulated the importance of leadership reflecting the diversity of London, stating, “We are actually in a new wave of next-generation leadership that hopefully is going to shift the model.”

The Guardian

The signatories of the letter, which includes notable figures such as Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, Kamila Shamsie, and Atom Egoyan, have urged the Barbican board and the City of London Corporation to clarify the circumstances surrounding Saltzman's departure. They are seeking transparency regarding whether the position will be formally eliminated and how the Barbican plans to configure its artistic leadership moving forward. Additionally, they have requested the publication of data on the diversity of the Barbican’s senior leadership and governance.

The Guardian

In response, the Barbican’s chair, William Russell, stated that he could not comment on confidential staffing matters but acknowledged Saltzman's contributions to the organization. The Barbican has experienced several leadership changes in recent years, including the resignation of Nicholas Kenyon in 2021 amid allegations of institutional racism, and Will Gompertz's departure after two years.

The Guardian

Saltzman's appointment followed a controversial period for the Barbican, which included backlash over its decision to withdraw from hosting a talk by Pankaj Mishra related to sensitive geopolitical issues. Her leadership was marked by a commitment to fostering a more inclusive cultural environment, making her departure particularly notable in the context of ongoing discussions about representation in the arts.

The Guardian

• “We are writing as a group of global majority creative and cultural leaders and allies to express our profound disappointment and alarm at the decision to curtail Devyani Saltzman’s tenure,” — Salman Rushdie, Author

The Guardian

• “This is a major public cultural institution, funded and held in trust for the people of this city and country.” — Open Letter Signatories

The Guardian

While the Barbican has not provided detailed comments on the specifics of Saltzman's departure, the lack of clarity regarding the future of her position and the institution's leadership structure remains a point of contention among stakeholders. The ongoing changes in leadership at the Barbican have raised concerns about the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion in its governance.

The Guardian