Krist Gruijthuijsen to Head Espoo museum of Modern Art

Updated July 3, 2025

The ‍Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) in Finland has‍ appointed Krist Gruijthuijsen as its new director and CEO. Gruijthuijsen, formerly the director of ⁣Berlin’s KW Institute for Contemporary Art from 2016 ​to 2024, aims to curate exhibitions with both regional and international appeal. ‌His past curatorial work includes shows featuring Hanne Lippard, Ian⁤ Wilson, Adam Pendleton, and Ronald Jones, among others.

Gruijthuijsen expressed enthusiasm about joining EMMA, citing its strong geopolitical position and multidisciplinary approach. He ​looks forward to learning from the region and its collections. As the largest art museum in Finland, ⁤EMMA will mark its 20th anniversary next year.

In his dual role as director and CEO, Gruijthuijsen will oversee all ‍aspects of the museum’s operations, including its ‌business functions. He believes this extensive ​understanding is crucial ​for the institution’s‍ growth.

Gruijthuijsen is also working ‍on a Paul Thek retrospective ⁤for Kunsthaus Zürich. Appointed curator at large, he noted that Thek’s complex work requires extensive research and planning.The⁤ exhibition will span Thek’s career from the 1950s until his death in​ 1988.

I am looking forward to learning from the region and the various ⁢collections the museum oversees.

What’s next

Gruijthuijsen intends to spend time understanding the region and EMMA’s ⁤collections ⁣before setting firm directions. He believes his international viewpoint can foster collaborations locally and globally, shaping⁢ the museum’s future.