Tate Britain names new director

Art gallery Tate Britain has appointed Dr Penelope Curtis as its new director.

Currently the curator of the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, Dr Curtis will take up the position in April 2010, succeeding founding director Dr Stephen Deuchar.

Dr Deuchar has been with Tate Britain for 11 years and will become the new director of The Art Fund in December.

Commenting on the move, Dr Curtis said: 'I am delighted to be appointed director of Tate Britain which has a unique remit - historic and contemporary, national and international - and look forward to exploring and expanding those areas.'

Sir Nicholas Serota, Tate director, added that Dr Curtis has already made an 'outstanding contribution' to the understanding of 20th-century British sculpture and said he is 'delighted' that she will bring her expertise to Tate Britain.

Dr Curtis has acted as curator of the Henry Moore Institute since 1999 and was involved in its acquisition of works by Auguste Rodin, Jacob Epstein and Alexander Calder.

Last month, the Edinburgh International Book Festival revealed that Nick Barley, former director of Scottish architecture centre The Lighthouse, will take over as its new director.