The Box appoints Rebecca Bridgman as Head of Collections and Programme

The Box has made a significant addition to its Senior Management Team with the appointment of Rebecca Bridgman as its new Head of Collections and Programme.

Rebecca will join Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive in mid-November after more than a decade with Birmingham Museums Trust, most recently as the Curatorial and Exhibitions Manager, where she has led a complete overhaul of the collection displays at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and made her mark with audience-led projects focused on collaboration, co-curation and representing local communities.

Rebecca moved to the Trust in 2012, to become its first specialist Curator of Middle East & South Asian Art. Prior to this, she worked at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge as a researcher for Islamic Ceramics. She has a PhD in Islamic Archaeology from the University of Southampton and a first degree in Archaeology and European Studies from the University of Exeter.

Nationally, she has chaired the subject specialist network for Islamic Art and Material Culture which shares knowledge and best practice throughout the UK’s museum sector.

Victoria Pomery, CEO at The Box said: “Rebecca brings a wealth of experience with her and we’re thrilled that she’ll be moving to the South West this autumn to take up this exciting new role. Rebecca has a proven track record in maximising the potential of museum collections, developing audiences and understanding the value of culture as a tool for place-making and regeneration – all of which are vitally important to us here at The Box. We’re looking forward to welcoming her on board when she arrives in November.”

Head of Collections and Programme is a newly created senior role at The Box. Rebecca will be part of the Senior Management Team that oversees the delivery of the organisation’s vision, mission, values and performance targets. She will also be responsible for leading on the care of The Box’s collections, the planning, curation and delivery of its ambitious exhibitions programme and the development of local, regional, national and international partnerships.

Rebecca Bridgman said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Head of Collections and Programme at The Box and to join an organisation vision and values align so closely with my own. It is exciting to be moving to the vibrant city of Plymouth and to have the opportunity to play a leading role in developing this dynamic, ambitious and young hybrid museum, gallery and archive. I look forward to working with the team, local communities and partner arts organisations to build on past successes, spark creativity and together reimagine The Box as a place where everyone, in the city and beyond, feels represented and welcome.”

Toby Watley, Director of Collections, Birmingham Museums Trust said: “Rebecca has played a pivotal role at Birmingham Museums over the past 11 years, developing an audience-led and participatory approach to curating and collections. From leading the award-winning ‘Collecting Birmingham’ programme, which empowered local communities to decide what objects are acquired to best represent their diverse stories and histories, to last year collaborating with creative partners to develop the radical redisplay of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. We wish her all the very best in her exciting new role at The Box.”

To find out more about The Box visit www.theboxplymouth.com.