Dr Warren Harper is the new Director of Metal Southend

February 9, 2026

Before joining Metal, Warren had been working in Canada; his most recent roles have been Exhibition Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto and lecturing in curatorial studies at the University of Toronto.

Prior to relocating to Toronto, Warren was Director at The Old Waterworks and a Board member of The Other MA, both in Southend. Warren is deeply rooted in the creative community of Southend, previously collaborating on projects with Radical Essex, Essex Architecture Weekend and Estuary Festival, to name a few.

“I am incredibly excited to be returning to Southend and joining the team at Metal. I am looking forward to continuing the work at the much-loved Chalkwell Hall, strengthening its role as a space for community and providing time and resources for artists to push the boundaries of their practices.” - Dr Warren Harper, Director of Metal Southend

Warren is interested in the art world and its accessibility, particularly from a working-class perspective. His research is informed by sustainable and ethical curatorial practices, interdisciplinary art, and art’s role within frameworks of social and environmental justice.

Some of Metal Southend’s current programmes include Connect & Create an award-winning creative wellbeing initiative bringing people together through art; Creative Break Time working with TOMA and Focal Point Gallery in collaboration with Southend schools to explore how creativity could improve the working lives of teachers; and This Is Us – Phase 2 deepening focus on the vital role of green spaces for the residents and community groups of Castle Point.

“We’re delighted to welcome Warren as the Director of Metal Southend. It’s fantastic to have someone with his love for Southend, commitment to the role of artists in the life of a place, and belief in the strength of community leading our next chapter in Essex.” - Susie Thornberry, Artistic Director and CEO, Metal

Metal’s programmes inspire positive change through art and creativity in radical, collaborative and interesting ways. Their work is underpinned by three themes: community and connection; climate and nature; and social justice. From involving local people in creative decision making in Southend, Liverpool and Peterborough and working with artists to disrupt loneliness across the UK, to reimagining what a true welcome really is, and challenging power through structural change, Metal’s work is evolving, experimental, and embraces the mess, possibility and fun of collaboration across places. Metal looks forward to Warren leading their Southend site and joining the organisation.