The Courtauld appoints first Director of Open Courtauld

The Courtauld has announced the appointment of Jane Fletcher as Director of Open Courtauld, a new department dedicated to radically expanding access to the study and appreciation of art, through bold and innovative approaches to lifelong learning.  

The Courtauld was recently recognised as the world’s leading institution for the study of History of Art in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. This new department will build on the Courtauld’s distinguished university-level courses and public gallery, and deliver an ambitious programme of short courses, schools’ outreach, and global public engagement.  

Jane joins the Courtauld on 5 May 2026 from her current role as a consultant advising leading cultural, media, and not-for-profit organisations on new product development, audience growth, digital transformation and revenue generation. Jane was previously Acting Digital Director at the National Theatre, where she led the operational and commercial delivery of its digital products, including National Theatre at Home and NT Live. She was formerly Director of Product Management and Director of Consumer Communications at Sky and Controller of Press and Publicity at Channel 4. 

Set to launch in October 2027, Open Courtauld will ensure that everyone – from primary age pupils to adults learning art for the first time – can explore, understand, and think differently about art, benefiting from the Courtauld’s world-renowned scholarship and expertise. 

Open Courtauld forms part of the wider transformation of the institution, including the development of a new world-class campus at Somerset House, scheduled to open in 2029. This major milestone in the Courtauld’s history will see a transformation and expansion of its historic Grade I listed building in the North Wing of Somerset House. The campus will include flexible, modern teaching spaces, a new lecture theatre, a spectacular library within Somerset House’s historic subterranean vaults and the creation of two new galleries dedicated to contemporary art. 

Professor Mark Hallett, Märit Rausing Director at the Courtauld, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Jane Fletcher as our first Director of Open Courtauld. Jane’s unique mix of expertise will be invaluable in supporting our ambition to transform access to art history and become the world’s leading centre for lifelong learning in the visual arts, for people of all ages and backgrounds.” 

Jane Fletcher said: “I believe Open Courtauld has the potential to become the embodiment of Samuel Courtauld’s founding principle of ‘Art for All’ and am excited to lead its launch. I look forward to building something with lasting value for everyone, regardless of age, financial status or location and at a time when visual literacy and the study and understanding of art and human creativity have never felt more important.”  

 

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Photo credit: Louise Haywood-Schiefer