Devyani Saltzman

Devyani Saltzman is a Canadian writer, curator and multidisciplinary cultural programmer. She is known for her work in arts and culture, and has held senior positions in three of Canada's major cultural institutions, including as the Director of Public Programming at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the fourth largest museum in North America.

In 2024 she was appointed as the Barbican's new Director for Arts, working with the centre's heads of art forms to set the direction of overall programming across cinema, theatre, visual arts, music, immersive experiences and creative collaborations.

Early life and education Devyani Saltzman was born in 1979, the granddaughter of Canadian weatherman Percy Saltzman and the daughter of film directors Paul Saltzman and Deepa Mehta. Paul Saltzman, her father, is Jewish; her mother Indian. They separated when she was 11 years old.

Saltzman received her degree in Human Sciences from Hertford College at Oxford University in 2003. She specialized in sociology and anthropology.

Writing career Devyani Saltzman is the author of Shooting Water: A Memoir of Second Chances, Family, and Filmmaking, as well as articles for The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Literary Review of Canada, the Atlantic, Tehelka, Marie Claire, Room literary journal and The Walrus Magazine. It was published in Canada (2005), the US and India and received "starred reviews" in both Publishers Weekly and the Library Journal and was called 'A poignant memoir' by The New York Times. Her freelance writing subjects include interviews with Pico Iyer, Sarah Polley, Floria Sigismondi and articles on India, long-term care facilities and immigrant domestic workers.

Current projects Saltzman is a founding Curator at Luminato, Toronto's International Arts Festival and has been involved in a number of arts initiatives including Project Bookmark Canada, The Toronto Museum Project as well as being a juror for the National Magazine Awards, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and The Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. In 2014 she was appointed Director of Literary Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Canada's national arts hub, where she oversaw year-round programming and public events.

In 2018 she was appointed Director of Public Programming for the Art Gallery of Ontario. Her departure prompted an open letter signed by numerous public figures emphasising the importance of maintaining diversity in leadership within the arts sector. Her exit, formally confirmed in May 2026, followed a period of organisational change at the institution, including senior leadership restructuring, during which her position was reported to have been made redundant.

Awards and governance

Writers’ Trust of Canada Vice ChairToronto Arts CouncilPresidentSummerWorks Performance Festival Board MemberOntario Association of Art Galleries Board Member