New Director appointed at The Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum has announced Emma Ridgway as its new Director. Ridgway will take up the new position on 5 June 2023, replacing Caro Howell MBE who moves to Imperial War Museums as their Director-General.

Ridgway will join the museum from contemporary art space Modern Art Oxford where, as Chief Curator, Head of Exhibitions and Learning, she has led the artistic programme since 2015.

As the curator of the British Pavilion for the 59th Venice Art Biennale, she collaborated with artist Sonia Boyce to create Feeling Her Way.

Previously Ridgway was a curator at the Barbican Centre, The Royal Society of Arts, Serpentine Gallery, London and Khoj International Artists Association, New Delhi

Larissa Joy OBE, Chair of Trustees at Foundling Museum, said Ridgway “brings the perfect balance of experience and vision to build on the Museum’s mission ‘Creative Action, Transforming Lives’”.

On her appointment, Ridgway said: “The museum plays a unique and vital role, celebrating centuries of artistic and social activism for early years and care-experienced young people. It is an honour to be able to contribute to the dynamic future of this cherished place.”