LONDON.- New Contemporaries has announced today, having steered the organisation consistently for twenty-five years, Sacha Craddock is stepping down as the Chair of its Board.

A prolific art writer, critic and curator, Sacha joined New Contemporaries in 1989 as a selector, following its relaunch in 1988, alongside Iwona Blazwick, Nicholas Logsdail, Veronica Ryan, Jon Thompson and Richard Wilson. Widely accepted as a barometer of emerging contemporary art practice, it was in 1989 that artists including Damien Hirst, Abigail Lane, Mark Leckey and Maud Sulter were selected.

Sacha became a leading figure in the organisation, joining the Board in 1992 and becoming the Board Chair in 1996 where she remained until December 2021. During Sacha’s tenure, the annual touring exhibition has supported over 1,000 artists, has travelled over 6,000 miles and has received over 1 million visitors across the length and breadth of the UK, including this year’s Bloomberg New Contemporaries first shown at Firstsite, Colchester followed by the South London Gallery from 10 December 2021 to 22 February 2022. It is this ambitious vision which has seen New Contemporaries firmly establish itself as a cultural force, becoming a widely respected event in the cultural calendar.

Sacha Craddock, Chair, New Contemporaries says, “My commitment to New Contemporaries has been almost like that to a second child. When I started as Chair in 1996, I had no idea what the role meant; now many years later, working with a creative and honourable Board, and a sound and solid organisation, I certainly do. I have, over decades, collaborated with numerous venues, funders and educators to bring the most exciting contemporary artwork to the public. Although roles within the organisation have become more distinct, my involvement as Chair of the annual selection process, however, has meant a constant overview of discussion around which work to exhibit.

I have relished the opportunity to see every image sent in, to hear every sound piece and experience all of the moving image submitted. The process, with excellent and intelligent selectors, has encouraged critical and interesting debate. New Contemporaries gives a person leaving arts education the chance to exhibit professionally, often for the first time, without name, age, place of study and gender considered. While the scope of work produced and the background of those studying has evolved, partly because of changes in education funding, I am confident that my successor and our organisation will continue to apply the longstanding democratic principles of New Contemporaries.”

Kirsty Ogg, Director, New Contemporaries, says, “Sacha’s impact on New Contemporaries has been profound: following our re-launch in 1988 she helped raise the bar in terms of the ambition and influence of our activities demonstrated by the partners and funders that we have collaborated with. Her significant work on behalf New Contemporaries has positively influenced the development of so many artists, many of whom have gone on to become key figures in our ecology. Sacha’s commitment to New Contemporaries means that I know she will continue to actively support what we do. During her time as Chair, stability and resilience have been built and we are now ready to embrace the next chapter of our history. There is perhaps no better example of Sacha’s passion for and contribution to the arts than her time with New Contemporaries.

Sacha’s tenure with us has charted the recent changes in arts education and what it means to be an artist, as well as the developments in exhibition making and the network of museums and galleries across the UK. She has left an indelible legacy at New Contemporaries. I know that many will join me in expressing gratitude for Sacha’s devotion to the organisation and her significant contribution over the past twenty-five years.”