Kunsthaus Zürich Patron Association Elects Philipp Hildebrand as Chair, Visitor Numbers Up 69%
The Facts
On May 30, 2022, the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft, the patron association of Kunsthaus Zürich, elected Dr. Philipp M. Hildebrand as its new Chair at its 127th annual general meeting. Hildebrand, former Chairman of the Swiss National Bank and Vice Chairman of BlackRock, received 2,540 votes (63.4%) and will take up his post on July 1, 2022. The association also approved the 2021 annual report, reporting a 69% increase in visitor numbers to 382,600 admissions compared with 2020, and an operating loss of CHF –482,431, reduced from CHF –980,952 the previous year. Membership reached a new high of 24,498 as of September 2021.
The Signal
The election signals a strategic shift for Kunsthaus Zürich as it navigates post-pandemic recovery and the leadership transition to incoming Director Ann Demeester, who will assume her role on October 1, 2022. Hildebrand’s appointment, bringing financial and governance expertise from the banking sector and international museum trusteeships, positions the museum to address ongoing financial pressures from reduced rental income and rising energy costs while aiming to broaden its role as a cultural platform for social discourse. The handover of directorship, moved forward by three months, suggests a deliberate effort to accelerate institutional renewal following the completion of the David Chipperfield extension.
- People: Dr. Philipp M. Hildebrand, Dr. Conrad M. Ulrich, Dr. Christoph Becker, Ann Demeester
- Museums: Kunsthaus Zürich, British Museum
- Locations: Zurich
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
