Sarah Perks is an interdisciplinary curator and writer based in the Tees Valley working across a number of fields including contemporary art, design, ecology and film. She is Professor of Curating in the School of Arts and Creative Industries at Teesside University, which includes international art gallery and museum MIMA. A specialist in relational curatorial strategy, her research focuses on interaction with socio-political and socio-economic issues including class, inclusivity and environmental concerns.
One of Creative Review’s 50 Creative Leaders in 2017, Sarah has led major participation, performance and curatorial projects with international artists including Rosa Barba, Phil Collins, David Lynch, Rachel Maclean, Noorafshan Mirza & Brad Butler and Qasim Riza Shaheen. Sarah previously held the position of Programme and Engagement Director at Cornerhouse (2008-2015) and the joint appointment of Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University and inaugural Artistic Director at HOME (2014-2019), Manchester.
Sarah has published over twenty essays and books across critical and creative writing, including Artists Moving Image in Britain Since 1989 (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art & Yale University Press, 2019). Sarah is a trustee of Alchemy Film & Arts (Hawick, Scotland), Editor for the Engage Journal and Podcast, and Programme Advisor (Artist Moving Image) for the BFI London Film Festival.
