Over 250 prominent cultural figures have signed an open letter protesting the abrupt departure of Devyani Saltzman from her role as Director of Arts and Participation at London’s Barbican Centre. Saltzman, who was appointed just last year to modernize the institution's programming, is set to leave in May following the recent arrival of new Chief Executive Abigail Pogson. High-profile signatories, including Salman Rushdie, John Akomfrah, and Isaac Julien, are demanding transparency regarding the decision-making process and the future of the position.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding institutional leadership and the precariousness of diversity-focused mandates within major UK cultural organizations. By questioning whether Saltzman’s role has been eliminated or restructured, the signatories are challenging the Barbican’s commitment to "global majority leadership." This public outcry puts significant pressure on the City of London Corporation to address concerns about internal politics and the sustainability of progressive creative visions in legacy institutions.