Miren Arzalluz Appointed Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao’s Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Miren Arzalluz, a renowned art historian and curator, as its new Director General. Her selection follows an extensive international search conducted over several months. The decision recognizes Arzalluz’s significant global experience in cultural institutions, her long-term dedication to advancing the arts, and her vision, which aligns with the Museum’s mission to drive the Basque Country’s cultural and social transformation. Her sensitivity to the diverse cultural contexts in which the Museum operates, and her ability to bridge local and global perspectives, were also key factors in her appointment.
Born in Bilbao in 1978, Miren Arzalluz brings a distinguished career in leading cultural organizations worldwide. She is currently the Director of Paris’s Fashion Museum–Palais Galliera, where she has been at the helm for the past six years. Her leadership there has been transformative, marked by ambitious renewal and expansion projects and a redefinition of the museum’s identity. Collaborating with Paris Musées and the City of Paris, she fostered an interdisciplinary approach that opened dialogues with international art and design institutions. These efforts resulted in acclaimed exhibitions, earning both public and critical recognition.
Arzalluz’s academic credentials further reflect her commitment to the arts and cultural scholarship. She holds a PhD in History from Deusto University, an MA in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, and an MA in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. This combination of historical, artistic, and political knowledge informs her strategic approach to museum leadership and institutional management.
Her contributions to the cultural sector have been recognized internationally. In 2024, she will be named a Chevalière de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. She has also been appointed as a jury member for the 2025 US National Design Awards, organized by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. These honors underscore her influence in shaping the future of cultural institutions on a global scale.
Despite her international profile, Arzalluz maintains strong ties to the Basque cultural landscape. She is a member of the Artistic Advisory Committee of Bilbao’s Fine Arts Museum and previously served as Director of the Etxepare Euskal Institutua, a Basque Government institution dedicated to promoting Basque language and contemporary culture. During her tenure as Chief Curator of the Balenciaga Museum, she was responsible for curating exhibitions and managing the collection, further emphasizing her connection to Basque heritage.
Arzalluz will officially assume her role as Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao on April 1, 2025. Before that, she will begin a transitional period starting March 1, working closely with the current Director General, Juan Ignacio Vidarte, to ensure a smooth handover. This collaborative transition highlights the Museum’s commitment to continuity and its forward-looking strategy.
The appointment of Miren Arzalluz signals an exciting new chapter for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Her exceptional leadership, innovative approach, and deep understanding of both local and global cultural dynamics promise to usher in a dynamic era for the institution.
Photograph: James Weston
