LONDON.- Emma Ridgway will take up her new position on 5 June 2023, replacing Caro Howell MBE who moves to Imperial War Museums as their Director-General.

Larissa Joy OBE, Chair of Trustees, said: ‘We are thrilled about Emma’s appointment. She brings the perfect balance of experience and vision to build on the Museum’s mission ‘Creative Action, Transforming Lives’. Emma’s track record of building sustained partnerships with artists, her leadership credentials and her track record in impactful learning and participation make her a perfect choice for the leadership role at the Foundling Museum.’

Emma Ridgway said: ‘I am delighted and excited to be appointed as Director of the Foundling Museum. The museum plays a unique and vital role, celebrating centuries of artistic and social activism for early years and care-experienced young people. It is an honour to be able contribute to the dynamic future of this cherished place.’

Ridgway will be joining the Museum from Modern Art Oxford where, as Chief Curator, Head of Exhibitions and Learning, she has led the artistic programme since 2015. As the curator of the British Pavilion for the 59th Venice Art Biennale, she collaborated with artist Sonia Boyce to create Feeling Her Way. The exhibition was awarded the international Golden Lion for Best National Participation 2022, a first for the UK.

Previously Ridgway was a curator at the Barbican Centre, The Royal Society of Arts, Serpentine Gallery, London and Khoj International Artists Association, New Delhi. She is a Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow, and holds degrees in fine art, art history and curating from Goldsmiths and The Royal College of Art, London. Her recent publications include Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way (Yale University Press), Ruth Asawa: Citizen of the Universe (Thames and Hudson), Anish Kapoor: Painting, and Marina Abramović: Gates and Portals (Koenig Books).

Opened in 2004, the Museum sits on the site of the Foundling Hospital; the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery. Founded in 1739, the Hospital cared for babies at risk of abandonment. Artists made the Foundling Hospital London’s most fashionable cause and destination as well as the UK’s first public art gallery. William Hogarth donated many of his own works and persuaded other artists to do the same. George Frideric Handel conducted benefit concerts of Messiah in the chapel and together, they invented a template for creative philanthropy that would ultimately support the care of over 25,000 children.

The Museum brings its historic story of children in care to life, in ways that are meaningful for people today, by working with outstanding artists from all creative disciplines. Artists are central to the Foundling Hospital story and the spirit of its Artist Governors lives on in the work of the many practitioners who support the Museum’s programmes, from visual artists and filmmakers, to musicians and designers. They remind us that the arts do not just provide the visuals, the commentary and the soundtrack to our lives; they can change, challenge and improve them. Ridgway will continue to drive forward the Museum’s ambitious work, bringing with her considerable curatorial expertise in the field of contemporary art and a track record in learning and participation.