Hiring Announcement: Simon Wallis, Previously of Hepworth Wakefield, Takes Over as Royal Academy's New Secretary and CEO
New Voices Steer the Royal Academy of Arts: Simon Wallis Takes the Reins
In a stunning move, Simon Wallis, the mastermind behind the Hepworth Wakefield, has been announced as the fresh face leading London's esteemed Royal Academy of Arts (RA). Wallis steps into the limelight in September, filling the shoes left vacant by Axel Rüger who departed last October, bound for the directorship at the Frick Collection in New York.
Wallis, a powerhouse in the world of arts, has a prestigious history that includes stints as the director of London's Chisenhale Gallery, senior exhibitions organizer at the ICA in London, curator at Tate Liverpool, and curator at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge.
With a confident stride, Wallis acknowledged the foremost institution's position: "As the world's oldest and foremost artist-led organization, the extraordinary talent and vision of the Royal Academicians, and their team, leads the creative conversation on a national and international stage."
In April, the academy found itself in a challenging position, necessitating a 15 percent workforce reduction through both compulsory and voluntary redundancies. The restructuring came in response to the academy's declaration that such measures were crucial "to sustain its position in the future."
Wallis' Hepworth Wakefield tenure, in West Yorkshire, has been nothing short of remarkable—he guided the museum from opening its doors in 2011, designed by David Chipperfield, to hitting its annual visitor target of 150,000 within just five weeks. The museum, named after the late British sculptor Barbara Hepworth, was bestowed the title of Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2017.
Under Wallis' reign, the museum's art collection has grown by over $35 million thanks to philanthropy. Rebecca Salter, the RA president, expressed excitement over Wallis' appointment, praising his extensive experience, vision, and energy. Salter emphasized that she looks forward to working with Wallis as they steer the Royal Academy into the 21st century.
Wallis, brimming with enthusiasm, expressed his eagerness to "foster further inspirational creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and reach new audiences" during what he described as a "pivotal moment of development and positive change" at the RA.
Whilst specifics about Wallis' plans for the RA remain undisclosed, his achievements at the Hepworth Wakefield—marked by innovative programming, community engagement, and significant collection growth—signal his commitment to artistic excellence, public outreach, and institutional development. The RA is set to gain a dynamic leader with a proven track record in team-building and culture-led regeneration. The Hepworth Wakefield's future plans will be unveiled in due course.
- Simon Wallis, the former director of the Hepworth Wakefield, has been appointed as the new leader of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), replacing Axel Rüger who departed last October.
- Wallis, with a wealth of experience including stints at the Chisenhale Gallery, ICA in London, Tate Liverpool, and Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, acknowledged the RA's prominent position in the art world.
- In a challenging period for the academy, Wallis' arrival comes after a 15 percent workforce reduction in April, a response to ensuring the institution's future.
- Under Wallis' guidance, the Hepworth Wakefield, named after the late British sculptor Barbara Hepworth, was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2017 and reached its annual visitor target of 150,000 within five weeks of opening.
- The RA president, Rebecca Salter, praised Wallis for his extensive experience, vision, and energy, stating her excitement about working with him to steer the RA into the 21st century.
- Wallis expressed his eagerness to foster creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and reach new audiences at the RA, describing the current moment as a "pivotal moment of development and positive change."
