A new director has been appointed at one of Yorkshire's biggest attractions ahead of its upcoming anniversary year.

Joe Hill is to start in post as chief executive of Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) in mid April, after Clare Lilley announced last summer she was to step down.

Trained as an artist and brought up in Yorkshire, Mr Hill looks to lead the organisation through a "pivotal" phase ahead of its 50th anniversary next year.

He is thrilled to be joining the team, he said, with a focus on the growth as a global destination for sculpture.

placeholder image — Joe Hill. Image: YSP

He said: "Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a place I have admired for a long time for its ambition, generosity and deep connection to artists and landscape.

"I’m excited to build on YSP’s remarkable artistic programme and to strengthen its long-term resilience, ensuring it continues to support artists and welcome audiences in ever more inspiring ways.”

Mr Hill is presently director and Towner Eastbourne where he has worked for eight years, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020 and hosting the Turner Prize in 2023.

His curatorial experience includes roles at Camden Arts Centre, Firstsite Colchester and the Venice Biennale.

The recruitment process was intensively competitive, trustees have said, with applications across 10 nations and three continents.

Peter Clegg, Trustee chair, said it was an unanimous decision.

“With an exceptional programme planned for the coming year and some interesting entrepreneurial challenges to get stuck into, YSP is in very capable hands," he said.

And Pete Massey, Arts Council England (ACE) director for Yorkshire, added his praise of Mr Hill.

"His significant leadership experience and artistic vision will be invaluable as the organisation celebrates its 50th anniversary next year," he said.

"We look forward to working with him on this new chapter for one of the country’s leading cultural destinations.”