Salman Rushdie joins backlash against Barbican over arts chief's exit

"Author Salman Rushdie is among the signatories of a letter to the Barbican Centre expressing profound disappointment and alarm over the forthcoming departure of its Director for Arts, Devyani Saltzman. The open letter, which is authored by a group of global majority creative and cultural leaders and allies, states Ms Saltzman was appointed with great fanfare just two years ago, and that the decision to cut her role raises serious questions about the institution's commitment to sustaining global majority leadership at the highest levels."

"A spokesperson for the Barbican said they cannot comment further on a confidential matter concerning a member of staff. They did however add that the Director for Arts position no longer exists due to organisational change. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has spoken with one of those who signed the letter to confirm its legitimacy. The Barbican announced earlier this week that Ms Saltzman, who previously held senior positions at several major Canadian arts institutions, is to leave her role in May"

Devyani Saltzman, appointed Director for Arts at the Barbican Centre in February 2024, is set to leave her role in May. A group of global majority creative and cultural leaders, including Salman Rushdie as a signatory, expressed profound disappointment and alarm at the removal of the post. The group requested explanations from the Barbican Board and the City of London Corporation and called for an independent review into the careers of global majority leaders at the Centre. The Barbican stated it cannot comment on a confidential staffing matter and said the Director for Arts position no longer exists due to organisational change. The timing followed a new creative vision and the arrival of a new Chief Executive.

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