A FORMER curator of the Government Art Collection has been appointed as the new director of mima.

Alistair Hudson joins Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art from Grizedale Arts in Coniston, Cumbria.

Before that he was curator of projects for the Government Art Collection, co-ordinating displays to promote visual arts in the UK and across the world and leading on the designs for the new Home Office building with artist Liam Gillick.

It's a time of change for mima as it became part of Teesside University this year, with Middlesbrough Council and Arts Council England remaining as partners.

Mr Hudson said: "With mima becoming part of Teesside University, it strengthens a partnership which has been developing in recent years and plans are already in place for an ambitious programme with international, national and regional projects.

"The partnership will draw on the combined expertise and excellence of mima and Teesside University to create new routes into learning and creative employment. It will build on mima's incredibly reputation as an international gallery, whilst increasing its civic and social function with local communities, connecting to new audiences and user groups. Altogether this will ensure it continues to thrive and offer a valuable cultural experience for the widest range of audiences."

Earlier this month a new permanent gallery was opened to house mima's jewellery collection - the largest public collection of jewellery outside London.

The collection, which is now open to the public, holds over 200 objects and features creations from some of the world’s most prominent jewellers from the 1970s onwards.

Professor Graham Henderson, vice chancellor of Teesside University, said: “We are looking forward to working with Alistair on this exciting new chapter in mima’s history."