Godfrey Worsdale is to leave Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the Gateshead-based organisation which he has led for the past seven years, to join The Henry Moore Foundation as its new director. He will succeed the Foundation’s current head, Richard Calvocoressi, who is retiring after eight years.
Speaking about his time at Baltic, Worsdale said: “To have been Baltic’s director for the past seven years has been a great privilege. It is a remarkable institution staffed by an incredibly talented and committed team of people.”
He added that support for the gallery from Arts Council England and Gateshead Council had “enabled Baltic to work with some of the world’s greatest artists whilst welcoming millions of visitors through the doors.”
Thanking Worsdale for his dedication and commitment, Baltic’s chairman Peter Buchan said: “Godfrey leaves Baltic in impressively sound financial and artistic health, with an impeccable and highly respected reputation which will enable the organisation to continue to bring the very best of international contemporary art to the north east.”
Unique postion
On his new role at the Henry Moore Foundation, which he will take up in July, Worsdale said: “The Henry Moore Foundation occupies a unique position in the art world’s ecology; not only in acknowledging Moore’s hugely significant contribution to the development of modernism and the history of sculpture, but also in delivering on his determination to enhance the wider public appreciation of visual art.
“I am delighted to be joining the Foundation at this time, when the importance of Henry Moore’s work is increasingly recognised and appreciated, and his crucial commitment to support the visual arts is more important and necessary than ever.”
The Foundation was founded by Moore in 1977. Its main responsibilities are preserving Moore’s legacy at his home in Perry Green, Hertfordshire and through exhibitions worldwide; research and exhibitions at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds; and awarding grants to arts organisations in the UK and abroad.
The Henry Moore Foundation chair, Nigel Carrington commented: “The Trustees would like to pay tribute to Richard Calvocoressi whose tenure has marked a number of significant strides forward for the organisation.
“At the same time, we are delighted to appoint Godfrey Worsdale as director. I have no doubt that his outstanding track record as a curator, writer and gallery director will help us to drive forward ambitious future plans at both the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens in Perry Green and at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, as well as internationally.”
