The Barbican Centre Board met on Tuesday 21 July 2026 to discuss a range of items, including the CEO's report on recent programming and commercial activities, and updates from its sub-committees. The meeting also scheduled discussions on the Barbican Renewal project and creative programming ambitions.

CEO Report

The Board was scheduled to receive a public report from the CEO, Abigail Pogson, providing an overview of the Barbican Centre's activities between April and July 2026. The report highlighted a focus on engaging young people, with initiatives such as involvement in London Climate Action Week and plans to expand Young Barbican membership. It also detailed programming highlights across visual arts, creative collaboration, music, theatre, dance, and cinema.

Notable programming mentioned included the Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica exhibition, featuring artists like Chris Ofili and Marlene Dumas, and Delcy Morelos's origo installation. The report also noted the success of the In Other Worlds exhibition by Liam Young and performances by artists such as Aldous Harding. Theatre and dance offerings for the autumn/winter 2026 season were also outlined, including Pam Tanowitz's Pastoral and a Japanese stage adaptation of Haruki Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Cinema programming included Our Queer 60s: LGBTQ+ Cinema in the Decade before Stonewall and a screening of Jonas Poher Rasmussen's film Flee.

Commercial activities were also covered, with a focus on improving financial performance and customer experience in catering and bars. The report mentioned the successful trial of Sunday Lunch in Barbican Kitchen and the ongoing performance of the Bar and Grill. The Barbican Centre also hosted major red carpet events for SXSW London. Plans were being developed for events that would take into account the Conservatory renovation and upcoming Barbican preworks. The report also noted that the Barbican Centre was working with a specialist to relocate the Conservatory fish to a new home.

Sub-Committees Updates

The Board was scheduled to receive public minutes and non-public summaries from its sub-committees. These included the Finance and Risk Committee, which met on 15 June 2026, and the People, Culture & Inclusion Committee, which met on 8 June 2026.

The Finance and Risk Committee's agenda included an update on internal audit activity, a health and safety progress report, the Barbican Business Review for March 2026, and an update on the risk management system. The People, Culture & Inclusion Committee's agenda featured an update on the delivery of its strategy and a verbal update on recruitment to a vacant External Member position on the Barbican Centre Board.

Barbican Renewal

A report concerning the Barbican Renewal project was scheduled for discussion. This project aims to revitalise and improve the Barbican Centre.

Creative Programming: Update and Ambition

The Board was also set to hear a presentation from the CEO, Abigail Pogson, on creative programming, covering current updates and future ambitions for the Barbican Centre's artistic output.

Approval of Previous Minutes

The Board was asked to approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 29 April 2026.