Barbican arts director departure prompts open letter signed by Salman Rushdie

More than 170 cultural figures, including Salman Rushdie, have signed an open letter expressing concern after Devyani Saltzman announced she will leave the Barbican in May; the organisation says there are no plans to replace her.

Devyani Saltzman, the Barbican's director of arts and participation, is leaving the institution in May after less than two years in post. Her departure follows the recent arrival of a new chief executive and comes after she published a five-year creative vision for the Barbican. More than 170 cultural figures have signed an open letter expressing concern about the decision. The Barbican has said it cannot comment on individual staffing matters. Key points: - Over 170 cultural figures signed the open letter; named signatories include Salman Rushdie, John Akomfrah and Pankaj Mishra. - The letter said Saltzman's tenure was curtailed and called on the Barbican board and the City of London Corporation to clarify whether the role had been deleted and how artistic leadership will be configured. - Saltzman will leave in May and the Barbican has announced there are no plans to replace the role. - The Barbican chair, William Russell, said he could not comment on a confidential staffing matter and linked to a press statement acknowledging Saltzman's contribution. Summary: Signatories describe the matter as more than an ordinary staffing issue and say it has sector‑ and community‑wide implications for representation in senior arts leadership. They have requested publication of diversity data for the Barbican's senior leadership and governance and public clarification of the processes that led to the decision. Undetermined at this time.