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31 Jul 2026

A Message from Jessica Taylor, ICF's Deputy Artistic Director

Jessica Taylor. Courtesy of the artist
People:

Jessica Taylor

After ten transformative years at ICF, first as Head of Programmes and then Deputy Artistic Director, I am writing to share that I will be leaving the organisation this autumn. This decade has been filled with so many meaningful projects and collaborations, created with colleagues, partners and practitioners that have shaped my time at ICF and my practice in the best ways. I am very proud of my contribution to ICF’s growth and development, building programmes, relationships, systems and an amazing team that enable a small and ambitious organisation to punch above its weight. 

I’m grateful that during my tenure at ICF I was able to vision and deliver projects across the UK and the world, from Wolverhampton to Hong Kong, Liverpool to Sydney. I first encountered ICF’s work in the Caribbean while I was still a student back in 2011, and honouring that connection to the region in many ways across the programme has been a very special aspect of my role. ICF has also afforded me a unique space to develop and test new, strategic models for curatorial fellowships, equitable collaborations and responsive evaluation. From co-curating the Diaspora Pavilion projects, to formalising ICF’s fellowships and professional development programme, from expanding ICF’s systems change and advocacy work, to forming an annual Advisory Group of alumni, so much of what I accomplished at ICF will inform all that I do going forward. 

I am excited to celebrate this transition with peers and colleagues in the coming weeks with the launch of ICF’s new Mentorship Programme and the opening of my final exhibition with the organisation. And as ICF approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027, I look forward to championing its vital work in new ways. 

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. If you’d like to stay in touch, please do reach out on email, or connect with me on LinkedIn.  

Yewande YoYo Odunubi, Jessica Taylor and Joanna Risvik in the studio of Irvin Pascal. Image by Irvin Pascal.
Yewande YoYo Odunubi, Jessica Taylor and Joanna Risvik in the studio of Irvin Pascal. Image by Irvin Pascal.
Jessica Taylor, Kashif Nadim Chaudry, Sonia E Barrett and David A Bailey in conversation for ICF's Diaspora Pavilion 2: London project at Block 336, curated by Jessica Taylor. Video still by Emmy Yoneda.
Jessica Taylor, Kashif Nadim Chaudry, Sonia E Barrett and David A Bailey in conversation for ICF's Diaspora Pavilion 2: London project at Block 336, curated by Jessica Taylor. Video still by Emmy Yoneda.
Exodus Crooks, Yewande YoYo Odunubi, Jessica Taylor and Orphée Kashala at the opening of Epiphany (Temporaire), an exhibition of new work by Exodus Crooks curated by Orphée Kashala during a fellowship with ICF and Ort Gallery. Image by Amadeusz.
Exodus Crooks, Yewande YoYo Odunubi, Jessica Taylor and Orphée Kashala at the opening of Epiphany (Temporaire), an exhibition of new work by Exodus Crooks curated by Orphée Kashala during a fellowship with ICF and Ort Gallery. Image by Amadeusz.
Jessica Taylor and Orsod Malik at the opening of Shifting the Centre: Anticolonial Ways of Seeing, a collaborative exhibition between ICF and iniva curated by Orsod Malik. Image by Jemima Yong.
Jessica Taylor and Orsod Malik at the opening of Shifting the Centre: Anticolonial Ways of Seeing, a collaborative exhibition between ICF and iniva curated by Orsod Malik. Image by Jemima Yong.
Sylvia Theuri, David A Bailey and Jessica Taylor at the opening of Thirteen Ways of Looking, a collaborative exhibition between ICF and The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, curated by Sylvia during a fellowship with ICF and New Art West Midlands. Image by Garry Jones.
Sylvia Theuri, David A Bailey and Jessica Taylor at the opening of Thirteen Ways of Looking, a collaborative exhibition between ICF and The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, curated by Sylvia during a fellowship with ICF and New Art West Midlands. Image by Garry Jones.
A group photo with artists and curators participating in ICF's 2016-8 Diaspora Pavilion and Beyond the Frame projects at the opening of the 2017 Diaspora Pavilion, curated by Jessica Taylor and David A Bailey, during the 57th Venice Biennale.
A group photo with artists and curators participating in ICF's 2016-8 Diaspora Pavilion and Beyond the Frame projects at the opening of the 2017 Diaspora Pavilion, curated by Jessica Taylor and David A Bailey, during the 57th Venice Biennale.