In a remarkable show of solidarity, approximately 250 prominent cultural figures worldwide have signed an open letter advocating for Devyani Saltzman, the recently departed director of London's Barbican Centre. Saltzman's unexpected exit occurred just weeks after Abigail Pogson took over as chief executive.
Among the notable signatories are celebrated artists John Akomfrah and Isaac Julien, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, curators Mark Sealy and Zoé Whitley, as well as renowned authors Salman Rushdie and Kiran Desai.
Saltzman was appointed director of arts and participation in February 2024, with a mission to redefine the institution's future. Her vision, as detailed in a LinkedIn post, aimed to create a "future-facing programme" that embodies the intricacies and opportunities of contemporary culture across various artistic domains, including theatre, music, visual arts, cinema, and immersive experiences. She is set to leave the Barbican in May.
The open letter, directed to the chair of the Barbican board, William Russell, and members of the City of London Corporation, conveys a "profound disappointment and alarm" regarding the decision to part ways with Saltzman. It emphasizes that only months prior, she unveiled an ambitious five-year creative vision for the centre.
Concerns raised in the letter include the need for clarification on whether Saltzman's position has been eliminated or restructured, the board's role in the decision-making process, and how the artistic leadership will be organized moving forward.
This collective support highlights the community's commitment to fostering diverse leadership in cultural institutions, underlining the importance of maintaining a global perspective in the arts.