Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Biography
Maria Balshaw is Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery, part of the University of Manchester, and the Manchester City Galleries. As Director of these 2 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 an administrator and Director within the cultural sector for the past 10 years. Alongside her role as Director of Manchester City Galleries and the Whitworth Art Gallery Maria has recently taken on the role of Strategic Lead for Culture for Manchester City Council.
Maria Balshaw has been appointed for a term of 4 years, from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2018.