Dr. Maria Balshaw
Maria Balshaw is Director of the Whitworth, part of The University of Manchester, and the Manchester City Galleries. As Director of these two major institutions, holding internationally important collections of fine and decorative art of more than 80,000 objects, she is responsible for the artistic and strategic vision for each gallery. An academic by training she has worked as a Director within the cultural sector for the past 10 years. Alongside her role as Director of Manchester City Galleries and Whitworth Art Gallery Maria has recently taken on the role of Director of Culture for Manchester City Council. In April 2014 the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport appointed Maria as a board member of Arts Council England. The appointment is for a term of 4 years, from April 2014 to March 2018.
Maria was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the arts in June 2015.