Barbican Arts Director's Sudden Departure Amid Major Refurbishment Plans
In a surprising development for London's cultural landscape, Devyani Saltzman, the Barbican's Director of Arts and Participation, is leaving the institution. This unexpected exit comes merely weeks after the arrival of new Chief Executive Abigail Pogson and precedes the venue's first major renewal project in its history.
Leadership Vacuum at Critical Juncture
Saltzman's departure creates a significant leadership gap at the Barbican, where she had become the public face of the organization over the past eighteen months. Appointed in February 2024, she recently unveiled an ambitious five-year creative vision for the centre and was recognized as one of the UK's forty most influential women in the arts. The Barbican has declined to comment on staffing matters, leaving her exact departure date unclear with no immediate replacement planned.
Her role encompassed curating the artistic programme and community engagement, positioning her as what many described as the "driving force behind the organisation." Saltzman had been particularly vocal about the need for London's cultural institutions to reflect the diversity of the city they serve, stating in 2024 that "we are actually in a new wave of next-generation leadership that hopefully is going to shift the model."
Pattern of Leadership Changes
This exit represents the latest in a series of leadership transitions at the Barbican over the past five years. In 2021, Sir Nicholas Kenyon resigned after fourteen years as managing director following allegations of institutional racism. His successor, former BBC arts correspondent Will Gompertz, departed after just two years to join Sir John Soane's Museum.
Saltzman was one of seven senior leaders appointed when the Barbican restructured its leadership model, eliminating the managing director position. All seven report directly to Chief Executive Abigail Pogson, who assumed her role in January 2026 after leading the Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead.
Navigating Controversy and Building Trust
Saltzman joined the Barbican during a period of controversy when the institution withdrew from hosting a talk by author Pankaj Mishra about the Holocaust and allegations regarding Gaza. This decision prompted several artists to remove their work from a Barbican exhibition. One of Saltzman's initial actions was to engage directly with Mishra, and she became instrumental in rebuilding trust between the organization and segments of the artistic community.
Historic Refurbishment Looming
Pogson now oversees the Barbican's most significant renewal project since its 1982 opening. The ambitious refurbishment involves a twelve-month closure of the theatre, music venue, and galleries starting June 2028. The first phase carries a £231 million price tag, with the total project estimated at £451 million.
Originally designed primarily for the 4,000 residents of the surrounding flats, the Barbican has evolved into one of Britain's most visited cultural attractions, welcoming over 1.5 million annual visitors. This refurbishment represents both a substantial investment in London's cultural infrastructure and a critical moment for an institution navigating repeated leadership changes while maintaining its position at the heart of the city's artistic life.
