The National Portrait Gallery in London has named Victoria Siddall as its new director, marking the first time a woman has held the position in the institution’s 168-year history. She will officially start her role in the fall. The National Portrait Gallery’s previous director, Nicholas Cullinan, left in June to become director of the British Museum.
Siddall’s arrival follows the gallery’s three-year, £41.3 million ($53 million) renovation project, which it called the “Inspiring People” project. The museum reopened in June 2023, featuring a new entrance with doors created by Tracey Emin and expanded educational facilities.
“The art within [the National Portrait Gallery’s] walls tells stories of human achievement and what unites us as a society, inspiring and shaping our view of the world and our place in it,” said Siddall. “This is perhaps the most exciting time in the NPG’s history, following the recent reopening and Inspiring People project that the team delivered so flawlessly under Nicholas Cullinan’s leadership.”
As the co-founder of two art-focused charities—Gallery Climate Coalition and Murmur—Siddall has been instrumental in promoting ethical practices within the art industry. She has also served as a strategic advisor to Tate and worked previously as the global director of Frieze Fairs. Prior to that, she launched Frieze Masters and served as its first director.
“Her strengths as a cultural leader are considerable, as is her knowledge of the art world, understanding of audiences, and international profile,” said David Ross, the chairman of the trustees at the National Portrait Gallery. “I know that she has the vision and determination to build on our recent successes and lead the next stage of the Gallery’s development, and I greatly look forward to working with her.”
