Six redundancies at Whitechapel Gallery

London's Whitechapel Gallery has made six full-time members of staff redundant as part of a restructure.

The Art Newspaper reports the affected roles include former Chief Curator Lydia Yee and Candy Stobbs, who was a member of the curatorial team for over 20 years, plus another curatorial role.

Members of the gallery’s development department and the most senior role in commercial ventures have also lost their jobs.

The gallery has attributed the decision to rising energy costs and pressing environmental and social concerns, as well as a reduction in its regular Arts Council England (ACE) funding.

It has retained its National Portfolio status, but its annual ACE funding will drop from £1.51m to £1.44m in April.

Speaking to the Art Newspaper, the gallery's Director Gilane Tawadros said: “To move forward from a significant financial deficit in 2022/23, anticipated in 2021/22, we have had to take the very difficult decision to make a small re-structure. 

“This is incredibly hard for all concerned, but we are immensely grateful to the dedicated and passionate team members who have played and continue to play such an important part in making the gallery an inspirational organisation.”

Tawadros will now lead the gallery’s curatorial team, supported by two existing curators, a special projects curator and a new Head of Exhibitions position.