Director of popular gallery announces resignation

The director of a popular art gallery which hosted the 2023 Turner Prize has announced his resignation after eight years with the venue.

Joe Hill, who manages Towner Eastbourne, said it had been "hugely rewarding watching the art venue grow locally, regionally and nationally".

"I'm leaving knowing the organisation is in a really strong position and with an exciting future ahead," he added.

The gallery said under Hill's leadership visitor numbers had grown to more than 200,000 annually and it had secured a grant to create a new environment and heritage centre at Black Robin Farm in the South Downs.

The Towner's chairperson, Stephen Welton, said: "The impact of Joe's tenure has been exceptional; not only for Towner, but for Eastbourne and the wider county."

Hill is due to take up a new role as director and chief executive of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) in April, the Towner says.

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