Harriet Cooper

Harriet Cooper is a curator from Manchester whose recent work has focused on early-career artists and commissioning in the visual arts, with a particular interest in sculptural practices. More widely, her research and projects consider the conditions, care and collaboration that can support development for creative practices across art, writing and curating. 

In September 2024 Harriet was appointed Director of The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum, one of the leading cultural venues within the South West. Alongside this she is a member of the Arts Council Collection Acquisitions Committee 2022-2025, Project Director for Jerwood Survey III a major touring exhibition of new commissions, and a mentor for individual artists.

From 2018 - 2022 Harriet was Head of Visual Arts for leading independent funder Jerwood Arts, and she has previously held roles at UAL Art Collection, London; Firstsite, Colchester; the British Council, London; Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield; and Tate Liverpool, Liverpool. She co-curated Phyllida Barlow’s commission folly for the British Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017 and developed the major commission Not Yet At Ease with Raqs Media Collective for 14-18 NOW in 2018. 

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