Search for new mima Director begins

The search for a new Director for mima to lead the internationally renowned institute of modern art in an exciting new phase of its work is now underway.

This year, as part of an ongoing partnership between Teesside University and Middlesbrough Council, mima will become part of the University and will contribute to and benefit from the success of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize-winning modern University with international reach and national renown. It is anticipated that mima will formally transfer to the University on August 1 when management of the gallery will pass from Middlesbrough Council to the University. Interviews for the Director post of the gallery, a member of the Plus Tate network, will take place on 8 and 9 July.

The partnership will draw on the mutual strengths and expertise of mima and Teesside University staff to ensure the gallery, as part of the wider University community, plays an important civic role to enrich the town in terms of culture, education, research and the visitor economy.

Middlesbrough Council, mima and Teesside University announced the formation of the new partnership to further develop mima’s role, towards the end of 2013 and the transfer to the University will see the fruition of those plans with the University and mima joining forces. Both the Council and Arts Council England will remain involved with mima as key funding partners.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL said: 'This is an exciting new partnership for the University which will help us to build on our growing reputation as an institution with a rich heritage and a commitment to assisting the cultural development of our community. There has been a lot of work in developing the partnership and it is excellent to see this work now bearing fruit.

'Bringing together the University and mima will offer a new level of opportunity and experience for both parties, not only complementing and further expanding the creative expertise and experience within our School of Arts & Media, but also offering development opportunities across a wide range of other parts of the University.'

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: 'This is an exciting time for mima as the gallery enters into its new partnership with Teesside University.

'mima is established as an iconic and internationally recognised symbol of Middlesbrough’s regeneration, and the new relationship with the University is laying the foundations for its continued growth and success.'

Interim Director of mima Mark Robinson said: 'mima will continue to provide opportunities for people to engage with world-class art and to play a role in establishing Middlesbrough as an arts destination.'

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