Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Director of Programme, Clare Lilley, has been appointed as Director and will replace Founding Director Sir Peter Murray CBE as he retires. Lilley will take up the role in March 2022.
Beginning her career with YSP in 1999 as Curator & Co-ordinator Integrated Landscape Management Plan, Lilley has since worked in a range of positions, and most recently took responsibility for temporary exhibitions and projects, the collection, and learning and engagement.
Outside of YSP, she has since 2012 curated Frieze Sculpture in London’s Regent’s Park, regularly contributes to publications, and recently appeared as an expert in the Landmark TV series on Sky Arts.
Lilley sits on the Advisory Committee of the Government Art Collection, the Advisory Group of the Yinka Shonibare Foundation and the Steering and Curatorial Groups of Yorkshire Sculpture International. She is a Trustee of Art UK, London and the George Rickey Foundation, New York. SHe has curated work with artists includes Ai Weiwei, Fiona Banner, Damien Hirst, Amar Kanwar, KAWS, and Kimsooja.
Lilley said she was “honoured” to have been chosen. “Over the years, it has been a privilege to work with Peter Murray in bringing exemplary art to millions of people,” she said.
“I’m committed to developing this incredible institution in such a way that it is both more widely recognised as a world-leader and more meaningfully than ever serves art, artists and our increasingly diverse audiences.”
The appointment of a new Director was supported by Arts Council England.
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England said: “I’m delighted to welcome the appointment of Clare Lilley as the second Director of YSP and I have no doubt that she will continue to enhance the reputation of the organisation and the part that it plays in the community in Yorkshire.”
