Victoria Siddall Appointed Director of National Portrait Gallery

Victoria Siddall, who previously served as the global director of Frieze art fairs, is set to take the helm of the National Portrait Gallery in London, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first female director in the institution's 168-year existence. Siddall takes over from Nicholas Cullinan, now the director of the British Museum. Her notable achievements include launching Frieze Masters and managing fairs in London, New York, and Los Angeles. After 18 years, she stepped down just prior to the debut of Frieze Seoul. Until January, she led the board at Studio Voltaire and co-founded the Climate Change Coalition in 2020. The gallery, funded by the UK government, is located at Trafalgar Square, with additional sites in Yorkshire and Somerset. Siddall's appointment awaits formal approval from the Prime Minister. Recent acquisitions feature a painting of pop star Sam Smith by Pierre et Gilles.