AND’s Director to take up new role as Digital Director with the Factory and Manchester International Festival

Our Director, Gabrielle Jenks, is set to leave Abandon Normal Devices in June this year.

Gaby has been with AND for almost a decade and has been instrumental in providing the artistic and strategic direction of the organisation growing it from a city based gallery festival to the UK’s only roaming biennial – securing Arts Council National Portfolio status for the organisation in 2013 and launching annual projects like COSMOS, an ambitious international art-science residency exploring deep space with Jodrell Bank (UK), and the presence of AND as a vital part of the arts ecology in the UK and internationally.

Working on all eight festivals and over 100 projects since 2009 – involving collaborations with Liverpool Biennial, Tate, Forest Art Works, the National Trust, Google, the BBC, Somerset House, British Council and many others – She has been a passionate advocate for supporting emerging talent alongside curating and producing award-winning projects from artists like Marshmallow Laser Feast, Gillian Wearing, Eva and Franco Mattes, The Yes Men, Wafaa Bilal and Oneohtrix Point Never (to name but a few). Gaby’s last festival as Director, in September 2017, welcomed record numbers attracting 32,000 to Castleton in the Peak District. Ambitious, experimental and collaborative – this describes both the festival in Castleton and our Director.

“My time with AND has been a deeply rewarding experience, this not only comes down to the artists I have had the pleasure of working with but also to a talented team of staff who shared my sense of adventure. I believe AND is truly distinct and as we approach our 10 year anniversary has an exciting future ahead.”

Gabrielle Jenks

“The Board of Trustees and staff team wish Gaby every success as Digital Director at The Factory and Manchester international Festival. She has been absolutely critical to our development, growth and many achievements over the years – we’re certain that she’ll make as huge an impact in her new role as she has with AND.”

Howard Rifkin, Chair

For AND the adventure will continue as a unique space producing challenging, provocative and inspiring experiences which enable artists and audiences to take risks and experiment.   

Look out for some exciting new opportunities with AND in the coming months and years ahead…