Damian Etherington (right) is the new museum and cultural development manager at Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

His appointment follows the recent retirement of curator Cathy Walling.

Damian’s career began in 2005 working on a project with the National Museums of Scotland,  since then he has worked on a range of projects with partners including English Heritage, Leicester Arts and museum service as well as East Lothian museum service.

He was previously curator at the Redoubt Fortress in Eastbourne.

More recently Damian was the senior collections and learning curator with Colchester and Ipswich museums.

In the past three years he has overseen more than 200 events, opened 18 exhibitions, worked with over 40 artists, commissioned three artist residences, completed three re-display projects and two major collections projects.

He has been involved in research projects with the Southampton University, Culture 24 and worked on developing content for the BBC Civilisations Augmented Reality and Google Cultural Institute.

Speaking about his appointment Damian said: “I am very excited to join Hastings Borough Council, the town has a rich and unique heritage and a growing reputation as a cultural hot spot. I’m keen to play my part in supporting the town’s ambition to be a recognised centre of excellence for cultural and scientific creativity.  I believe in the power of museums as agents of social change and I love the opportunity they afford for creating memories and engaging communities.”

Councillor Kim Forward Hastings Borough Council’s lead councillor for culture said: “Cathy Walling did a wonderful job as the curator of Hastings Museum and Art Gallery for 36 years after joining the council in 1982. We thank her for her service and we wish her well for the future. The museum is a space for everyone and I look forward to seeing the museum continue to develop, with Damian, as a museum that has partnership working and the local community at its heart.”