GATESHEAD.- Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art announces the appointment of Godfrey Worsdale as Director of Baltic.

Following an immensely successful time as Founding Director of mima, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, the £14.2 million gallery located in the heart of Middlesbrough town centre, Godfrey Worsdale joins Baltic with over 15 years of experience in gallery management and programming. He will take up the position at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in November 2008.

Worsdale began his curatorial career in the early 1990s at the British Museum, working in the Department of Prints and Drawings. At the same time he established Cultural Instructions, a new independent gallery for contemporary art in London. He moved to Southampton City Art Gallery as Curator in 1995 and within three years was appointed Director. During his time at both Southampton City Art Gallery and mima he developed internationally significant programmes. At Southampton City Art Gallery exhibitions included works from Jake and Dinos Chapman, Jane & Louise Wilson, Tracey Emin and solo shows from Chris Ofili and Martin Creed.

From 2002 he oversaw the planning and subsequent launch of mima and co-curated its debut exhibition Draw. The show presented drawings by some of the most significant artists of the 20th century; works by Picasso, Pollock and Warhol exhibited in relationship to works by a number of outstanding contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst, DJ Simpson and Gavin Turk. Other highlights from mima’s first year programme included the critically acclaimed Bauhaus exhibition. He has developed a reputation as a prolific writer about art for a variety of publications and catalogues. He joined the judging panel of the Zoo Art Fair in 2007 and the Paul Hamlyn Awards in 2008 and is the Vice Chairman of the UK’s Visual Art and Galleries Association.

Worsdale’s unique blend of expertise and regional knowledge made him an ideal choice for this highly sought after position, as Baltic Chairman Sir Ian Wrigglesworth explains: “We considered many excellent candidates for the post. Against stiff competition I am thrilled and excited that it is a candidate from our own region that has come through.

On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Godfrey to Baltic. He has built a very impressive reputation within the UK art scene and internationally as well as being a passionate supporter of visual arts in the North East. He combines skills in management and creative programming, having directed two galleries and been Head of Museums and Galleries at Middlesbrough Council where he was responsible for the development and successful launch of mima.

This experience made him an ideal choice to take Baltic forward into a new and dynamic chapter. We are very much looking forward to welcoming him.”

Mark Robinson, Executive Director, Arts Council England, North East added, “The arts sector in the north east is strong and dynamic, with a network of inspirational individuals working in the region. Godfrey has been an exceptional Director at mima and we are confident his experience and skills will serve Baltic well into the future. We are delighted that such a talented professional has chosen to continue to work in the north east.”

James Bustard, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council England, North East, said, “Godfrey Worsdale's achievements in delivering and positioning mima both regionally and nationally have demonstrated his suitability as the new Director of Baltic. We were impressed by Godfrey's vision for Baltic and look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Godfrey Worsdale commented "It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead an organisation such as Baltic. The team there has delivered a fantastic range of exhibitions and commissions, and this is a great time to join them in moving Baltic on to its next phase. The building and facilities at Baltic are exceptional and they will be key in taking the organisation forward. The North East of England is a great place to be working in the visual arts and the sector here is growing very strongly. Baltic has an enormous part to play in that future as it does on the international stage"