LONDON.- Art Fund’s trustees announce the appointment of Isaac Julien, one of the UK’s leading artists, to the board. The appointment is for five years from December 2016.

Isaac Julien was born in 1960 in London, where he currently lives and works. His multi-screen film installations and photographs incorporate different artistic disciplines to create a poetic and unique visual language. His 1989 documentary-drama exploring author Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance titled Looking for Langston garnered Julien a cult following while his 1991 debut feature Young Soul Rebels won the Semaine de la Critique prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Isaac Julien has exhibited in the 7th Gwangju Biennial, South Korea (2008); Prospect 1, New Orleans (2008); and Performa 07, New York. He has had solo exhibitions at: the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Boston (2011); L’Atelier Hermès, Seoul (2011); Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo (2011); The Bass Museum, Miami (2010); Helsinki Festival, Kunsthalle Helsinki (2010); Museum Brandhorst, Munich (2008); Kestnergesellschart, Hannover, (2006) Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2005); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2005); and Moderna Museet, Stockholm (2005). Julien first participated in the Venice Biennale in 2009 and returned to present KAPITAL Oratorio in the 56th edition in 2015. His work is held in collections including: Tate, London; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Centre Pompidou, Paris; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington DC.

Art Fund helps museums buy works of art, supports curatorial projects and encourages people to see and enjoy art in public collections across the UK. It is funded by over 123,000 members, and is the UK’s fastest growing charity, with a charitable programme with a value of £11.2m in 2015. Isaac Julien is appointed to the board at a time when UK museums are increasingly seeking Art Fund grants for contemporary acquisitions and commissions. 40 per cent of Art Fund grants go towards contemporary works of art.

Art Fund’s board of trustees oversees the effective working of the charity. They consider all applications from museums and galleries for grants towards the purchase of works of art and projects, and offers of gifts as well as bequests. The board includes: Lord Smith of Finsbury (Chairman), Jeremy Palmer (Treasurer), Stephen Deuchar (Art Fund Director), Caroline Butler, Richard Calvocoressi, Richard Deacon, Dame Liz Forgan, Philippa Glanville, Chris Gosden, Professor Antony Griffiths, Alastair Laing, James Lingwood, Sally Osman, Marcia Pointon, Axel Rüger, Lisa Tickner, and Michael G Wilson.

Isaac Julien said: “I feel honoured to be joining the board for Art Fund, a charity I have long admired for their commitment to growing public collections, and access to them, for everyone across the UK. I look forward to bringing my knowledge of contemporary art and artists film to the incredible expertise of the board.”

Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chair of the board, said: “Art Fund trustees play a crucial role in ensuring that money we raise is used in the best possible way to support museums and galleries. Many of our grants go towards contemporary art acquisitions and projects, and we are working more closely with artists than ever before. It is wonderful to have such an esteemed artist join our board, and we know that Isaac will be a valuable addition to the board’s skillset.”