Richard Birkett

Birkett is former chief curator at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London

Changing Faces

Glasgow International festival director to step down

Arts Professional
1 min read

Glasgow International’s festival director RICHARD BIRKETT is leaving his role this spring.

A curator, writer and former chief curator at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, Birkett joined the festival in December 2022 ahead of developing the latest edition of the biennial event, which took place in June last year.

Occurring over 18 days, the visual arts event operates an open submission model for artists and curators.

The festival says it shifted focus under Birkett’s “careful and considerate leadership” for its 10th edition last year, when it featured new commissions by local, national and international artists presented in a non-hierarchal programme.

It says it is now looking for an experienced individual to build on the values-based approach of last year’s festival, ahead of editions in 2026 and 2028.