Overview
- The Southbank Centre appointed Tallant to lead the Hayward Gallery and Visual Arts, confirming her start date in July 2026.
- Rugoff will step down in spring 2026 after two decades in the post and will shepherd the Kapoor show opening in June.
- Tallant has directed New York’s Queens Museum since 2019, overseeing more than 30 major exhibitions, commissioning six permanent artworks at LaGuardia Airport, and leading a reported $65m capital campaign.
- Her UK experience includes early work as a Hayward assistant curator, a decade as Serpentine head of programmes, and eight years as artistic director and CEO of the Liverpool Biennial.
- Southbank leaders, including artistic director Mark Ball and chair Misan Harriman, praised her vision as the institution marks its 75th anniversary.