Massimiliano Gioni Named Director of the New Museum

The New Museum has officially named Massimiliano Gioni as its next director, a transition that marks a definitive internal succession for the Lower Manhattan institution. Gioni, who has served as the museum’s artistic director since 2014, will assume the top role on August 1, 2026. His appointment concludes an extensive international search conducted by the board of trustees, which sought a successor following the retirement of long-time leader Lisa Phillips.

Phillips, who directed the museum for twenty-six years, stepped down last September, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the institution into a global entity and oversaw the construction of its Bowery home. Gioni is now only the third person to hold the top leadership position since the museum’s founding in 1977 by Marcia Tucker. His selection brings stability to the institution as it moves forward in its recently expanded OMA-designed facility.

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A Long-Standing Curatorial Career

Gioni’s history with the New Museum spans two decades, beginning with his appointment as a curator in 2006. His rise through the organization included roles as associate director and director of exhibitions. Throughout his tenure, Gioni has been instrumental in shaping the museum’s reputation for experimental, intellectually rigorous programming. Notable contributions include co-founding the New Museum Triennial in 2009 and curating a wide array of exhibitions, ranging from thematic surveys like After Nature (2008) and Ostalgia (2011) to the more recent New Humans: Memories of the Future, which launched the museum’s new expansion earlier this year.

Beyond New York, Gioni maintains a high international profile, having curated major biennials including the 55th Venice Biennale (2013), the 8th Gwangju Biennale (2010), and the 4th Berlin Biennale (2006). He has served as the artistic director of the Nicola Trussardi Foundation in Milan since 2002, a role he continues to hold. His career began in journalism and criticism for Flash Art, followed by his early work with Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and curator Ali Subotnick in the operation of The Wrong Gallery, a project often cited for its small-scale, irreverent approach to the art market.

The Search Process

James-Keith Brown, president of the New Museum’s board, stated that the search committee sought a candidate with a global perspective and expertise in commissioning new works, emphasizing that the museum’s lack of a permanent collection necessitates a nimble and experimental approach. Despite the rigor of the search, which involved interviewing candidates from around the world, the board ultimately determined that the most qualified leader was already shaping the museum's vision.

"After 27 years, we needed to do a full, proper search, and Mas was incredibly supportive of that—he encouraged it. At the end of the day, our conclusion was that our best person was right in front of us."

James-Keith Brown, Board President, via Artforum

While the museum celebrates this leadership transition, the institution’s recent history has not been without tension. Under the previous administration, the museum faced labor friction, including the formation of a staff union and disputes over contract negotiations. Reflecting on the evolution of the institution, Gioni noted that he views his appointment as a collective validation. "I think of this appointment less as a recognition of my work than a vote of confidence in our entire institution and its staff," he stated.

What to Watch Next

• August 1, 2026: Massimiliano Gioni officially begins his tenure as director of the New Museum.
• Late September 2026: The museum is scheduled to open a major survey of video artist Arthur Jafa, co-curated by Gioni and senior curator Gary Carrion-Murayari.
• Structural Evolution: Gioni has indicated he has no immediate plans to appoint a new chief curator, signaling that he will maintain a focus on the “software” of the museum—its programming and curatorial direction—now that the physical expansion is complete.

As Gioni takes the helm, he faces the broader challenge of defining the role of a contemporary art museum in an era increasingly dominated by digital saturation and shifts in artistic market value. He has expressed interest in using the museum space as a "gym for coming to terms with what you don’t understand," while balancing the institution's avant-garde identity with the demands of public accessibility.