Image: Harriet Cooper (Burton at Bideford)c
The appointment brings experience from Jerwood Arts, Firstsite, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Tate Liverpool
The Burton at Bideford has announced the appointment of Harriet Cooper as its new Director.
Copper is a curator known for her developmental work with early-career artists, expertise in commissioning new work, and strategic leadership of national partnership projects.
Her most recent roles have included Project Director at Southwark Park Galleries for national touring exhibition ‘Jerwood Survey III’; Curator of the UAL Art Collection; and member of the Arts Council Collection Acquisitions Committee 2022-25.
Cooper will start her new role on 16 September. She replaced Patrizia Ribul, who left in October 2023 to become Director of Museums at the Bath Preservation Trust.
From 2018-22 Harriet was Head of Visual Arts for independent funder Jerwood Arts. She was previously co-curator of Phyllida Barlow’s solo commission ‘folly’ for the British Pavilion at the 57th Venice Art Biennale in 2017. She also worked with Delhi-based Raqs Media Collective in 2018 to develop the project ‘Not Yet At Ease’ for 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary.
She has also previously worked in the curatorial teams at Firstsite in Colchester, the British Council in London, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Tate Liverpool, and has served as an independent member of the Cymru yn Fenis Wales in Venice Advisory Committee.
On her appointment, Cooper said: “As a passionate advocate for the importance of art and artists in society, I am thrilled to join The Burton at this pivotal moment in the organisation’s journey.
“The Burton is renowned as one of North Devon’s most important creative destinations and it is an honour to guide its next steps as the team strive to centre accessibility and sustainability in plans to improve the building, extend outreach and education programmes, and present even more ambitious projects and exhibitions for our audiences.”
Chair of The Burton trustees Robert Millward said the new appointment “will help all of us at The Burton, staff and trustees alike, expand our horizons and consider novel and innovative ways to further improve and grow our wonderful gallery.”
