Glasgow International, Scotland's biennial festival of contemporary art, has announced Helen Nisbet as its new Director. Nisbet will assume the post from summer 2025 ahead of the 11th edition of the festival, which takes place from Friday 5 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
Glasgow International Director Helen Nisbet. Photo: Christa Holka
Nisbet takes over the role from previous Director Richard Birkett. Her artist-led practice, which emphasises solidarity and representation, will build on Birkett's open and embedded artistic and organisational vision for Glasgow International which saw the festival team work in close partnership with Glasgow-based and international artists and organisers to produce an acclaimed edition in 2024.
Helen Nisbet said, "I'm so happy to be coming home to Scotland as Director of Glasgow International. I'm excited to work with, and learn from, the festival team and to be amongst the gorgeous light, energy, artists, communities (and even the rain) in Glasgow again.
Glasgow International is a critical biennial which represents a diversity of contemporary and cultural practice, and it is a privilege to lead it into its next phase. I bring with me a commitment shaped by years of collaboration with artists, organisers, communities, partners and audiences - locally, nationally, and internationally. I look forward to spending time with you all soon.”
Nisbet’s appointment coincides with other key appointments within the Glasgow International Festival team: Pelumi Odubanjo (Curator) and Martel Ollerenshaw (Festival Manager). They join existing staff Siobhan Carroll (Open Programme Convenor), and Poi Marr (Curator).
Every two years Glasgow International presents an array of artists' projects across Glasgow by international artists and those based locally, amplifying the city's identity as a vibrant and distinctive centre for artistic production, presentation and cultural organising. These projects are selected through an open call by an invited panel of international and local artists, curators and producers and the Glasgow International Programme team. The open call for submissions to be part of Glasgow International 2026 closed on 26 May.
Nisbet said, “Richard Birkett and I will both sit on the selection panel for the 2026 Open Call. Richard has done brilliant and tireless work as Festival Director and in joining the panel together we are opening up a spirit of collaboration, generosity and continuity now and into the future."
Glasgow International 2026 will feature new projects commissioned and delivered by Glasgow International, leading arts organisations in the city, artist-led initiatives and independent arts organisers. Collaboration will continue to be at the core of the festival, highlighting the local and international relationships and concerns at the heart of artistic practice today.
Further details of the 2026 festival will be announced in due course.
Emma Nicolson, Creative Scotland’s Head of Visual Arts said: “We’d like to congratulate Helen Nisbet on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her back to Scotland. Glasgow International contributes significantly to the cultural offer of the city and is recognised locally and globally for its vibrant and distinctive programme. Helen brings a wealth of experience to the festival, and we are excited to see how her curatorial vision and commitment to artists and audiences will influence and shape its future direction.”
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “Helen Nisbet is a wonderful appointment as Festival Director for Glasgow International. Helen’s experience working alongside contemporary artists and her experience of GI and Glasgow will make the 2026 edition even more keenly anticipated. I am already looking forward to seeing the programme Helen and the festival team put together for the next GI.”
Background
About Helen Nisbet
Helen Nisbet has held key curatorial and leadership positions including Artistic Director for Art Night, CEO and Artistic Director for Cromwell Place and Curator at Cubitt. She has curated a range of freelance and artist-led projects in galleries and public spaces across the UK and internationally. Helen is a non-executive Director for the artist-led project GAADA in her native Shetland and served as a jury member for the 2023 Turner Prize.
Nisbet has worked on significant projects with artists including Christine Sun Kim, Jasleen Kaur, Mark Leckey, Nabihah Iqbal, Richey Carey, Julie Cunningham & Company and Lucy McKenzie.
About Glasgow International
Glasgow International is Scotland’s world-renowned biennial festival of contemporary art. Glasgow International presents an array of artists' projects across Glasgow, by international artists and those based locally. The festival amplifies the city's identity as a vibrant centre for artistic production, presentation and cultural organising, and as a place with deep connections to international cultural and social concerns. Glasgow International is grateful for the generous support of Creative Scotland, Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council via the Glasgow Event Board, the Scottish Government’s Festival Expo Fund, and the British Council. More information at www.glasgowinternational.org
About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, which, now in its 30th year, has supported over 14,600 projects with more than £501.9 million in funding through Creative Scotland and its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
About Glasgow Life
Glasgow Life is a charity working for the benefit of the people of Glasgow. We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and we find innovative ways to make this happen across the city’s diverse communities.
Our programmes, experiences and events range from grassroots community activities to large-scale cultural, artistic, and sporting events which present Glasgow on an international stage.
Our work is designed to promote inclusion, happiness, and health, as well as support the city’s visitor economy, to enhance Glasgow’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing.
For more information visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk.
Glasgow International is part of Glasgow Life, the operating name of Culture & Sport Glasgow. Charity number: SC037844
Media contact
Mary Doherty | [email protected] | +44 7716 701 499