New appointments at National Science and Media Museum

The National Science and Media Museum has announced CHARLOTTE CONNELLY as Head Curator and SALLY FOLKARD as Head of Screen and Cultural Engagement.

Connelly is a historian of science and technology. Most recently, she was Museum Curator at the Scott Polar Research Institute’s Polar Museum and has also worked at the Science Museum on the Information Age gallery, developing content for sections on TV, radio, and mobile technology. 

As Head Curator, Connelly will lead a team of curators on exhibitions and public programmes, while overseeing the Bradford-based museum’s collections of photography, film, television, animation, video games and sound technologies.

Folkard is a former Head of Film Hub North, who has over 15 years experience in the film industry, specialising in audience development, cultural regeneration, and organisational change. 

In her new role, Folkard will oversee the museum’s festivals and cinema programme including its annual film festival. 

“Bradford has a rich film heritage, and the museum is home to the iconic Pictureville Cinema, and the last remaining public Cinerama screen in the world, so it really is a perfect time to champion all the incredible opportunities in the screen industry,” Folkard commented.

Museum Director JO QUINTON-TULLOCH said Connelly and Folkard will be “instrumental in ensuring that we are deliving on our mission of exploring the science and cultural of image and sound technologies”. 

The appointments follow the news of a wave of redundancies at the museum, as it prepares for a tempoarary closure while it undergoes a £6m upgrade.