Ralph Rugoff, curator of the 2019 Venice Biennale, is leaving his post as director of the Hayward Gallery after 20 years. The Southbank Centre announced his departure for spring 2026, after which he will work as an independent curator and writer. During his tenure, the Hayward staged acclaimed shows like “Kiss My Genders!,” surveys for Kader Attia and Tracey Emin, and Rugoff was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2019. He previously led the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Art in San Francisco.
Rugoff’s departure marks the end of a significant era for the Hayward Gallery, which gained international recognition under his leadership. His 2019 Venice Biennale, though met with mixed reviews, was a defining moment in contemporary art for its innovative response to political polarization. His exit raises questions about the future direction of the Hayward and the broader institutional landscape in London, as the search for a successor begins.