Matt Durran began curating in the 1990’s with the formation of New London Glass, notably Transfuse at The Great Eastern Hotel.  He devised and curated the Recollect exhibitions in London 2010 in connection with Collect at the Saatchi Gallery. Matt has curated a number of exhibitions internationally and has since gone on to found and curate the Glass Heap Challenge, which was part of the International Festival of Glass in 2012.   
Matt is a Trustee of the Crafts Council and sits on the Board of the Glass Arts Society based in the USA and will bring his international perspective to the curation of the Biennale.
Matt will be taking over this curatorial role from glass maker and curator Michelle Keeling who curated the Biennale in 2010 and 2012. Matt will be supported by Biennale assistant Kate Goldenberg.
 
Elisabeth Johnson, International Festival of Glass Project Director said: “We’re very excited about Matt’s appointment. He has a hard act to follow, and we would like to thank Michelle enormously for her contribution to the Biennale. Matt brings with him a wealth of glass knowledge, has a strong curatorial background as well as his own personal experience of the Biennale and Festival. We are anticipating another stunning show highlighting the amazing work of today’s British glass artists.”  
 
Matt Durran said: “The British Glass Biennale is a unique event, not only within the UK but globally. When you travel internationally, as I have, and make contacts with glass communities in other countries you understand how well known and respected the Biennale is. 
“I see this as a fantastic opportunity to curate the most up to date glass work available in this country. The glass scene is changing rapidly with new technologies and applications emerging. We are anticipating a fresh and exciting Biennale this year.”

Exhibition dates: 28 May to 28 June 2015
 
Winners will be announced at the Private View and Awards Ceremony on 27 May 2015
 
The British Glass Biennale will be held in the Glasshouse Arts Centre and Ruskin Glass Centre, The Glasshouse, Wollaston Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 4HE.  For more information, visit www.biennale.org.uk
 
The British Glass Biennale is part of the International Festival of Glass, an exciting programme of events and exhibitions for glass enthusiasts and the public alike, which attracts visitors from around the world to venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. The Festival centres around its four day public Glass Festival, from 28 – 31 May. Although the British Glass Biennale exhibition is free there is an entry charge to the Ruskin Glass Centre over the Glass Festival weekend. For more information, visit www.ifg.org.uk