Kunsthaus Zürich Appoints Hendrik Folkerts and Maja Wismer to Top Curatorial Roles
On August 29, 2025, Kunsthaus Zürich announced the appointment of Hendrik Folkerts as Chief Curator of Programme and Maja Wismer as Head of Collection and Research. Folkerts, previously a senior curator at Moderna Museet in Stockholm and the Art Institute of Chicago, will join the museum on February 1, 2026. Wismer, who most recently led the Department of Art after 1960 and Contemporary Art at Kunstmuseum Basel from October 2020 to May 2025, will oversee collection and research. Together with Director Ann Demeester, they will advance the museum's curatorial vision and future initiatives, focusing on transhistorical programming that spans art from the 13th century to the present day.
The Signal
The appointments signal a strategic consolidation of leadership at one of Switzerland's premier institutions, with both curators bringing expertise in contemporary art and a commitment to transhistorical approaches. Folkerts' track record of groundbreaking exhibitions and acquisitions at major museums, combined with Wismer's experience at Kunstmuseum Basel, positions Kunsthaus Zürich to strengthen its international profile. The museum's emphasis on bridging classical and innovative art, along with its expansive collection, suggests a continued focus on critically engaged programming that resonates with diverse audiences and the global art world.
- People: Hendrik Folkerts, Maja Wismer, Ann Demeester
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich, Moderna Museet, Art Institute of Chicago, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Kunstmuseum Basel
- Locations: Zürich, Stockholm, Chicago, Amsterdam, Basel
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