Glasgow International appoints Helen Nisbet as new Festival Director

Glasgow International, Scotland's biennial festival of contemporary art, has announced Helen Nisbet as its new Director.

Helen will assume the post from summer 2025 ahead of the 11th edition of the festival, which takes place from Friday 5-Sunday 21 June 2026.

Helen takes over the role from previous Director Richard Birkett. Her artist-led practice, which emphasises solidarity and representation, will build on Birkett's open and embedded artistic and organisational vision for Glasgow International which saw the festival team work in close partnership with Glasgow-based and international artists and organisers to produce an acclaimed edition in 2024.

Helen said: “I'm so happy to be coming home to Scotland as Director of Glasgow International. I'm excited to work with, and learn from, the festival team and to be amongst the gorgeous light, energy, artists, and communities in Glasgow again. Glasgow International is a critical biennial which represents a diversity of contemporary and cultural practice, and it is a privilege to lead it into its next phase."

Helen’s appointment coincides with other key appointments within the Glasgow International Festival team: Pelumi Odubanjo (Curator) and Martel Ollerenshaw (Festival Manager). They join existing staff Siobhan Carroll (Open Programme Convenor) and Poi Marr (Curator).

Every two years, Glasgow International presents an array of artists' projects across Glasgow by international artists and those based locally, amplifying the city's identity as a vibrant and distinctive centre for artistic production, presentation and cultural organising.

These projects are selected through an open call by an invited panel of international and local artists, curators and producers and the Glasgow International Programme team. The open call for submissions to be part of Glasgow International 2026 closed on 26 May.

Helen said: “Richard Birkett and I will both sit on the selection panel for the 2026 open call. Richard has done brilliant and tireless work as Festival Director and in joining the panel together we are opening up a spirit of collaboration, generosity and continuity now and into the future.”

Glasgow International 2026 will feature new projects commissioned and delivered by Glasgow International, leading arts organisations in the city, artist-led initiatives and independent arts organisers. Collaboration will continue to be at the core of the festival, highlighting the local and international relationships and concerns at the heart of artistic practice today.

Further details of the 2026 festival will be announced in due course.

Emma Nicolson, Creative Scotland’s Head of Visual Arts, said: “We’d like to congratulate Helen Nisbet on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her back to Scotland. Glasgow International contributes significantly to the cultural offer of the city and is recognised locally and globally for its vibrant and distinctive programme. Helen brings a wealth of experience to the festival, and we are excited to see how her curatorial vision and commitment to artists and audiences will influence and shape its future direction.”