Alistair Hardaker
Image: Ralph Rugoff OBE, Director, Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre © 2017 Cesare De Giglio
Rugoff oversaw international touring of exhibitions and Arts Council Collection hosting during his tenure, with successor search starting autumn 2025.
The director of the Southbank Centre Hayward Gallery, will step down in Spring 2026 after 20 years in post.
Rugoff was appointed director of the Hayward Gallery in May 2006, and had since put together the international touring of Hayward Gallery exhibitions.
Southbank Centre did not give a reason for the departure, but told Advisor Rugoff will “work as an independent curator and writer in the future”.
Rugoff said: “I have a great love for the Hayward Gallery – for the artists we’ve shown and the audiences who’ve engaged with our exhibitions; for so many superb colleagues and the different communities we’ve worked with; and also for the building itself, which was ingeniously designed as a democratic forum that concentrates aesthetic experience.
“Over the past two decades it’s been deeply rewarding to exhibit, commission and publish some of the world’s most compelling artists; to have the support of truly inspiring art patrons, philanthropists and collectors; and to partner with great museums and art organisations around the world.
He has also supervised the work of the Arts Council Collection which has been hosted at the Southbank Centre under his leadership throughout his time at the Hayward.
Elaine Bedell, CEO of the Southbank Centre, said: “Working alongside Ralph since 2017 has been a pleasure and a huge privilege. I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for the Hayward and the Southbank Centre over the past two decades.”
An international search for Ralph Rugoff’s successor will begin in Autumn 2025.
