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After overseeing a transformation of London’s National Portrait Gallery, Nicholas Cullinan has been chosen to do the same again, this time as director of the British Museum
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 02 Apr 2024
The British Museum has named a permanent successor to its interim director Sir Mark Jones, with Nicholas Cullinan set to take up the position full-time starting this summer.
Serving as director of the National Portrait Gallery since 2015, in his previous position Cullinan oversaw a £41.3m (US$51.9m, €48.2m) refurbishment and rehang of the institution’s collection, the largest and most ambitious in its history. Prior to working at the National Portrait Gallery, Cullinan also worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Tate Modern in London as a curator. Cullinan has also been recognised for services to the arts after receiving an OBE in the King’s New Year's Honours list in January.
In his new role, Cullinan will, among his other duties, oversee a 10-year, £1bn (US$1.2bn, €1.1bn) project to modernise the British Museum and redisplay the popular attraction’s entire collection.
“The trustees chose Nicholas Cullinan as the new director of the British Museum because he brings proven leadership today and great potential for tomorrow,” said British Museum chair, George Osborne.
“He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesn’t take sides, but brings people together - and won universal acclaim. We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment.”
There are a number of issues which will need to be addressed by Cullinan, including regular protests against the British Museum’s partnership with oil giant BP, calls to return historically contested artefacts from around the world, and a scandal surrounding thousands of artefacts found to have been stolen from the museum.
“One of the greatest museums in the world, it is an honour to become the next director of the British Museum,” said Cullinan.
“I look forward to joining its wonderful and dedicated staff and to work with its hugely
impressive board in leading it into a new chapter. This will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be.”
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