The Barbican Centre (the Barbican) has named Rebecca Fons as the new Head of Cinema, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on her leadership appointment. She will begin her tenure in early September 2025.
Opened in 1982 and located in the heart of the City of London, The Barbican Centre is Europe’s largest multi-arts venue and one of the world’s leading cultural institutions. As a catalyst for creativity, sparking possibilities for artists, audiences, and communities, the Barbican offers dynamic programming that spans music, theatre, dance, film, immersive experiences, and visual arts, alongside innovative learning and community engagement initiatives. The Barbican showcases the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping people understand their lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year, it presents thousands of different performances, events, and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, creating connections, provoking debate, and reflecting the world. Programming ranges from classical concerts to avant-garde exhibitions, cutting-edge theatrical productions, and groundbreaking film festivals.
Rebecca is a film curator, arts administrator, and educator, and brings a wealth of experience to the role. She joins the Barbican from the Gene Siskel Film Center, a public programme of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she is currently working as the Director of Programming. Rebecca is also the Programming Director for the historic Iowa Theater in her hometown of Winterset, Iowa.
"I am honoured to join the talented Barbican team, and work alongside my colleagues to uphold the Centre’s revered history of presenting distinct, thoughtfully curated cinema; while shepherding creative collaboration across disciplines at the Barbican and exploring what we can create together beyond the frame," Rebecca said. "Film has been my passion and profession for over two decades, and the opportunity to facilitate the coming together of friends, neighbours, and strangers for the collective moviegoing experience is a great privilege."
Rebecca previously served as Programming Director for FilmScene in Iowa City and as Education Director for The Chicago International Film Festival. She was co-founder of the Chicago event series Destroy Your Art, and in 2022 was named Chicagoan of the Year in Film by the Chicago Tribune. Rebecca holds a master of arts degree from Columbia College Chicago.
“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Rebecca to the Barbican," said Devyani Saltzman, Director for Arts and Participation at the Barbican. "Her love and knowledge of film, her experience helming the Gene Siskel Film Center, connected to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and her passionate and collaborative approach to leadership, will only allow us to build on the amazing work of the Barbican cinema team whilst contributing to realising our renewed artistic vision going forward. I can’t wait for her to join us.”
ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities across the United States and Canada to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise.