Christophe Cherix Appointed Next Director of MoMA in September 2025

The Museum of Modern Art announced today that after an intensive six-month international search, its Board affirmed a unanimous decision to appoint Christophe Cherix in September 2025 as the next David Rockefeller Director, to succeed Glenn D. Lowry.

In sharing the Board’s decision, Chair Marie-Josée Kravis said,

“Christophe’s brilliant curatorial leadership in modern and contemporary art, deep insight and passion for MoMA’s collection, and reputation for steady stewardship stood out as indispensable qualities to meet the moment as the Museum’s next director. We are thrilled that after a rigorous global search, the Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Christophe, and that he accepted the appointment.”

Board President Sarah Arison added,

“Christophe’s excellence in scholarship, strong relationships with artists, and internationally respected research and publications distinguished him in an international pool of impressive candidates. We look forward to working together to support a smooth and substantive leadership transition, and to set the strongest possible foundation for MoMA’s continued success under his new leadership.”

Cherix joined the Museum’s curatorial staff in 2007 and has served as The Robert Lehman Foundation Chief Curator of Drawings and Prints since 2013. His appointment to that role followed a reorganization at MoMA that merged the Department of Prints and Illustrated Books, of which he had been Chief Curator since 2010, with the Department of Drawings. Prior to MoMA, Cherix served as curator of the Cabinet des Estampes at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva, Switzerland.

Cherix shared,

“MoMA has long been a leader in embracing new forms of expression, amplifying the voices of artists from around the globe, and engaging the broadest audiences onsite and online. As the Museum approaches its centennial, my highest priority is to support its exceptional staff and ensure that their unique ability to navigate the ever-evolving present continues to thrive.”

Glenn D. Lowry said,

“I have been privileged to work with Christophe for more than fifteen years at MoMA, and I am delighted that the Board has chosen him to be the next director of the Museum. In the months ahead, we will work together to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Christophe is a gifted and talented curator, and I look forward to seeing the Museum evolve and thrive under his able direction.”

At MoMA, Cherix’s exhibitions have included ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN (2024), Betye Saar: Legends of Black Girl’s Window (with Esther Adler, 2019), Adrian Piper: A Synthesis of Institutions, 1965–2016 (with Connie Butler and David Platzker, 2018), Marcel Broodthaers: A Retrospective (with Manuel Borja-Villel, 2016), Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971 (with Klaus Biesenbach, 2015), Jasper Johns: Regrets (with Ann Temkin, 2014), Print/Out (2012), Contemporary Art from the Collection (with Kathy Halbreich, 2010), and In & Out of Amsterdam: Travels in Conceptual Art, 1960–1976 (2009). His work has been instrumental in the acquisition and integration into the Museum’s holdings of several major collections, including the Merrill C. Berman Collection, the Herman and Nicole Daled Collection and Archives, the Seth Siegelaub Collection and Archives, the Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection and Archives, and the Art & Project/Depot VBVR Collection.

Cherix was born in Switzerland and received a license ès lettres from the University of Geneva. He was a Fellow of the Class of 2010 at the Center for Curatorial Leadership in New York, which included a residency at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.