Emma Ridgway, Foundling Museum's incoming Director. She is photographed sat down against a grey background, wearing a black dress and gold bracelet. She has shoulder-length blonde hair and a short, full-fringe. She wears bright pink lipstick.

Photo: Kirill Kozlov

Changing Faces

Foundling Museum welcomes Ridgway as Director

Robin Cantrill-Fenwick
1 min read

The Foundling Museum has appointed EMMA RIDGWAY as Director, who will take up post in June.

She will succeed CARO HOWELL MBE, who is to take the helm at Imperial War Museums as Director-General. 

A Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow, Ridgway will join the children’s charity and art gallery from Modern Art Oxford, where she has stood as Chief Curator, Head of Exhibitions and Learning since 2015. 

Prior to this, Ridgway was a Curator at the Barbican Centre, Royal Society of Arts, Serpentine Gallery, and Khoj International Artists’ Association, New Delhi.

“Emma’s track record of building sustained partnerships with artists, her leadership credentials and her track record in impactful learning and participation make her a perfect choice for the leadership role at the Foundling Museum,” LARISSA JOY OBE, Chair of Trustees, commented. 

Ridgway said she is “delighted and excited” to be named director. 

“The museum plays a unique and vital role, celebrating centuries of artistic and social activism for early years and care-experienced young people. It is an honour to be able contribute to the dynamic future of this cherished place.”