Year of the Home: Supporting Sculpture and the Future of Dora House

Date

24 Jan

Time

12.30 - 1.30pm

Address

London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington, Upper Street, London N1 0QH

Tickets from

Free

Description

Saturday 24 January 2026
1:30 - 2:30pm Talks Theatre, Business Design Centre, Islington, N1 0QH

Speakers

Caroline Worthington – Director, Royal Society of Sculptors

Isabel de Vasconcellos – Writer & Curator

The Royal Society of Sculptors marks a significant moment in its history with Year of the Home — an ambitious fundraising campaign for the redevelopment of Dora House, its Grade II listed headquarters and future “Home for Sculpture.”

In this conversation, Caroline Worthington speaks with Isabel de Vasconcellos about the Society’s vision for nurturing sculptural practice, expanding opportunities for artists, and creating a world-class centre for sculptural excellence.

The talk will also spotlight the Society's collaboration at London Art Fair 2026, including the open-call presentation of sculptural works at the Fair — developed with the generous support of TM Lighting. TM’s involvement reflects their ongoing philanthropic commitment to artists, including their partnership with the Society through the Gilbert Bayes Award exhibition at TM Gallery, their not-for-profit exhibition space.

This session offers insight into how institutions, sponsors, and artists can work collectively to champion contemporary sculpture and secure its future.

Book Tickets

Caroline Worthington has worked with artists throughout her career as a curator, bringing a wealth of experience gained while leading two independent, non-profit organisations to the Society. As Chief Executive of Bexley Heritage Trust for six years, she ran two historic houses and introduced a contemporary art programme, featuring the work of artists including Gavin Turk, Laura Ford, and Joana Vasconcelos among others. Prior to that she was the Director of the Florence Nightingale Museum on London’s South Bank, where she raised funds and oversaw a complete redesign and re-launch in 2010. Caroline was Vice Chair of the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) 2020-2022 having been a Trustee since 2013. She is currently a Trustee of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust.

Isabel de Vasconcellos is an independent curator and cultural producer, with extensive experience collaborating with artists and visual arts organisations to realise world-class public commissions and exhibitions. She writes on contemporary art, photography and design, and is the author of Fourth Plinth: How London Created the Smallest Sculpture Park in the World. Follow Isabel on Instagram at @i_de_v