Kathleen Soriano has been named interim Director of Hastings Contemporary beginning January 2025. The new head is an independent curator, strategic consultant, and broadcaster.
Soriano succeeds Liz Gilmore, who steps down after a transformative 14-year tenure to become CEO of The Sherborne, a new arts and gallery space in the South West.
Soriano has been a longtime admirer of Hastings Contemporary and its achievements. “It is an honour to join the team planning the Gallery’s future at such a pivotal moment. Hastings Contemporary stands out as one of the UK’s most innovative cultural organisations, and I am delighted to contribute to its next chapter.”
Professor Andrew Corbett-Nolan, Chair of Hastings Contemporary, praised Soriano on the appointment. The Board of Trustees welcomes Kathleen Soriano. Her exceptional track record in world-class programming and cultural placemaking will be invaluable to charting Hastings Contemporary’s future. This includes launching our new mobile studio, advancing digital innovation and shaping a capital masterplan following our acquisition of the building’s 99-year lease.
Kathleen Soriano
Kathleen Soriano has established herself as a leading figure in the arts and has a distinguished career spanning decades. Beginning at the Royal Academy of Arts, she moved to the National Portrait Gallery in 1989, serving as Head of Exhibitions and Collections until 2006. In 2004, she was selected as a Clore Fellow, gaining leadership experience at the South Bank Centre and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
In 2006, Soriano became Director of Compton Verney, later joining the Royal Academy of Arts in 2009 as its inaugural Director of Exhibitions. During her tenure, she curated landmark shows, including David Hockney, Van Gogh, Degas, and the celebrated Australia exhibition, which showcased Aboriginal heritage alongside two centuries of Australian art. She left the Royal Academy in 2014 to pursue independent curatorial projects.
Soriano has been a key figure in arts broadcasting as an expert judge on Sky Arts Artist of the Year since 2013. She has curated notable exhibitions such as the London Art Fair’s 30th-anniversary show in 2018 and Harald Sohlberg’s first UK exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2019.
In leadership roles, she has been Chair of the Liverpool Biennial Board since 2016 and was appointed Chair of Art UK in 2022. With her independent curatorial practice, Soriano continues to shape the cultural landscape through innovative projects and public engagement.
Under Gilmore’s leadership, Hastings Contemporary has become a cornerstone of cultural life in East Sussex, hosting acclaimed exhibitions and fostering community engagement. Soriano is known for her curatorial expertise and strategic vision, and she brings a wealth of experience that is expected to help enhance the Gallery’s reputation as a hub for modern and contemporary art. Hastings Contemporary’s next phase promises to build on its legacy of innovation, creating a stronger position in the UK’s cultural landscape.
Since its opening in 2012, Hastings Contemporary has emerged as one of the UK’s most distinctive art spaces. The museum was initially launched as the Jerwood Gallery as part of the Jerwood Foundation’s initiative to house its significant collection of 20th—and 21st-century British art.
Designed by award-winning firm HAT Projects, the building’s sleek and modern design is clad in black ceramic tiles. The tiles echo the vernacular of Hastings’ fishing huts and stand as a striking contemporary landmark on the coastline. In 2019, the Gallery rebranded as Hastings Contemporary to signal a new chapter of independence and move away from its Jerwood Foundation affiliation.
The transition allowed the Gallery to broaden its programming while continuing to champion local and emerging artists. Hastings Contemporary has hosted an impressive roster of exhibitions showcasing works by celebrated figures such as Stanley Spencer, Paula Rego, and Sir Quentin Blake. Its intimate yet ambitious exhibitions regularly juxtapose established names with exciting new voices, reflecting the Gallery’s commitment to diversity and artistic innovation. Beyond its exhibitions, Hastings Contemporary has become a vital cultural hub for the local community, offering outreach programs and educational initiatives that engage audiences of all ages. Its location on the working beach alongside Hastings’ historic fishing fleet lends the Gallery a unique connection to the town’s rich maritime heritage and creative spirit. Hastings Contemporary is a key player in the regeneration of Hastings and continues to attract visitors from across the UK and beyond, embodying the dynamic intersection of art, heritage and community.