The Museum of Modern Art in New York recently announced Christophe Cherix as the next director. The Swiss-born curator was unanimously confirmed by the museum’s board of directors after a concentrated six-month international search, and his term will officially begin in September this year. He succeeded Glenn D. Lowry, who succeeded in 1995 to the institution, regarded as the world's leading museum.
Cherix's career includes working as a curator of print at Musée D'Art Histoire in Geneva, as well as a resident of LACMA, while a researcher at the Curator Center. He joined MOMA in 2007 and was appointed Chief Curator of Painting and Printing for the Robert Lehman Foundation in 2013, a curator who combines print and illustration books in the reorganization of the department (he has been the chief curator since 2010). He played a central role in integrating and expanding the series.
After the announcement, Cherix reflected on MoMA’s upcoming centenary, identifying support for employees and the ongoing relevance of the agency as a priority. “MOMA has long been a leader in embracing new forms of expression, amplifying the voices of artists around the world, and attracting the widest live and online audience,” he said in a statement.
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During his 18-year tenure, Cherix led landmark exhibitions that included the 2023 main Ed Ruscha survey “Ed Ruscha/Now,” which reignited institutional and market interest in artists’ work. His curatorial scope spans American and international artists working across media, and the exhibition is dedicated to figures such as Betye Saar, Adrian Piper, Marcel Broodthaers, Yoko ono and Jasper Johns. He is also securing several major collections, including Merrill C. Berman Collection, Herman and Nicole Daled Collection and Archives, Seth Siegelaub Collection and Archives, Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Fluxus Collection, and Art & Project & Project vbvr Collection.
Although he was an established figure in curatorial leadership, he was promoted to director Mark Cherix's first leadership body. Marie-Josée Kravis, chairman of the Mumbai Board, accepted the appointment, praising Cherix's keen curatorial vision, his firm commitment to the Moma collection and his reputation under calm, deliberate leadership. “We are excited that after a rigorous global search, the trustees voted unanimously to appoint Christopher, who accepted the appointment,” she said in a statement.
Lowry is Moma's longest-serving director, working closely with Cherix for 15 years and welcomed the news. He told the press that he was satisfied with the board’s decision and confirmed that the two will work closely together in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition. “Christoff is a talented and talented curator and I look forward to seeing the museum grow and thrive under his abilities,” Lowry said.
