Courtauld Institute Appoints New Artists Advisory Council
Leading artists, designers, and architects will guide the institution's future strategies, with a focus on contemporary art.
By Oliver Hargreaves
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a grand, historic building with classical architecture.
The Courtauld Institute of Art has announced the formation of its new Artists Advisory Council (AAC), a distinguished group of artists, designers, and architects tasked with shaping the institution's future strategies, particularly in the realm of contemporary art.
The newly formed council includes renowned visual artists such as Dame Sonia Boyce DBE RA, Sir Antony Gormley, Rachel Jones, Elizabeth Price, and Megan Rooney. They will be joined by leading architects Thomas Heatherwick CBE RA RDI of Heatherwick Studio and Stephen Witherford of Witherford Watson Mann. The AAC will be chaired by Tim Marlow OBE, Director and Chief Executive of the Design Museum, London.
The Artists Advisory Council's primary focus will be on enhancing the Courtauld's contemporary art offerings. This initiative follows the significant expansion of its Gallery since its 2021 transformation, which has hosted successful exhibitions featuring artists like Peter Doig and Claudette Johnson, and a major commission by Cecily Brown. The Courtauld also launched a new annual commission for The John Browne Entrance Hall in 2025, with Rachel Jones creating new works, and the 2026 commission by Ella Walker. Furthermore, the first UK solo exhibition of New York painter Salman Toor opened at the Courtauld Gallery on 2 October 2026.
This announcement comes as The Courtauld progresses with its plans to establish a new world-class campus at Somerset House in London, a development set to solidify its global standing in the visual arts. Approaching its centenary in 2032, this significant milestone involves the transformation of its historic Grade I listed building at Somerset House, aiming to create a state-of-the-art campus by 2029, designed with a masterplan by architects Witherford Watson Mann.
The new Courtauld Campus, expected to open in 2029, will also feature the Blavatnik Contemporary Galleries. These galleries are intended to provide a dedicated space for experiencing contemporary art through special exhibitions, commissions, and events, championing advanced artistic practices and offering fresh perspectives. Students on the Courtauld Institute’s MA in Curating will play a key role in delivering the programme within these new spaces.
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"Our new Artists Advisory Council will play a vital role in shaping the future of the Courtauld and in guiding our expanded presentation of contemporary artists’ work within the new Courtauld Campus."
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"I am honoured to be an inaugural member of the Courtauld’s Artists Advisory Council. The Courtauld is one of our most important cultural institutions and a world-leading centre for the teaching and research of art history. I look forward to helping support and guide their efforts to open up art and art education to the widest possible audience."
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"It is an honour to be part of the Artists Advisory Council at such an important time in the Courtauld’s history, and to serve as an advocate for the importance of both art history and contemporary art in shaping the Courtauld’s future."
