Yorkshire Contemporary appoints new Director

Yorkshire Contemporary is delighted to announce the appointment of Hayley Dixon as our new Director.

Hayley will join the organisation in March 2025, bringing a wealth of experience in arts leadership, curatorial practice and operational management. Hayley’s appointment marks a return to the region having grown up in Pudsey, Leeds and studied at Leeds College of Art and Design (now Leeds Arts University).

Hayley was most recently Head of Finance and Operations at Studio Voltaire, one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit arts organisations in London (2022 to 25), where she played a pivotal leadership role as the institution expanded into its redeveloped site to further champion emerging and under-represented artists.

Previously, Hayley was Interim Director and Deputy Director at Focal Point Gallery in Southend-on-Sea (2016 to 22), working to realise projects with artists including David Blandy, Maria Farrar, Mark Fell, Eloise Hawser, Mary Mattingly, Alicja Rogalska and Lindsey Seers. Here she managed the county-wide and critically acclaimed programme Radical ESSEX, co-editing its accompanying book. Hayley has also worked with Frieze Art Fair (2011 to 16), served as a founding trustee of The Old Waterworks, Southend-on-Sea (2017 to 22) and amongst other projects curated ‘Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!’ at blip blip blip, Leeds in 2013.

Reflecting on her appointment, Hayley said: “I am honoured to be joining the team at Yorkshire Contemporary. The organisation has played a vital role in supporting contemporary artists across the region and beyond, and I feel very grateful to be trusted with this legacy, particularly at the beginning of this exciting new chapter. I am looking forward to returning to my home county to champion its artistic community to growing audiences and develop new projects for Leeds and Yorkshire. This includes partnering with Bradford 2025, and working to build a new permanent home for contemporary art that the region rightly deserves.” 

Frank Finlay, Chair of Yorkshire Contemporary said: “We are thrilled and excited to welcome Hayley Dixon as the new Director of Yorkshire Contemporary. Hayley brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and vision that will be instrumental in shaping the future of our organisation. Her passion for contemporary art and commitment to supporting artists, audiences and serving wider publics align perfectly with our mission. We look forward to seeing Yorkshire Contemporary flourish under her leadership.”

In welcoming Hayley we would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to Bryony Bond for all her outstanding contributions during her eight years as Director.”

With significant, major upcoming projects, including co-curating the Turner Prize for 2025, Hayley’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Yorkshire Contemporary. We welcome Hayley to Yorkshire Contemporary alongside Michael Raymond, who joins from Tate Modern as curator, working on key projects as part of Bradford 2025, including co-curating the Turner Prize. They join our existing team of Helina Bassey, Sophie Bullen, Caitlin McHugh, and Besa Wilde, with Jack James stepping into the role of Deputy Director.

About Yorkshire Contemporary
Yorkshire Contemporary is a leading visual arts organisation based in Leeds dedicated to presenting exciting art exhibitions, supporting emerging artists across the region and facilitating public programmes to encourage play and creativity for all.
For further information or any media requests please contact: info@yorkshirecontemporary.org