All eyes on top African curator Koyo Kouoh as she assumes influential position of Venice Biennale Curator  

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Since November 5, 2024, the arts sector, particularly those in leadership positions have been talking excitedly about an international breakthrough by one of their own.

The appointment of Koyo Kouoh as the Curator of the La Biennale di Venezia 2026 is not news to be taken lightly especially because of an African, this is a new breakthrough for the continent to have one of its brightest minds working at that level.  Indeed she will be watched closely, and rightly so as she assumes this influential position in the global art scene. But given what is known about her so far, it looks as if indeed those who made this decision based it on her background as a sucessfull leader and visionary in the fine art sector on the continent having held leadership positions.

This appoinment followed the decision of the The Board of La Biennale di Venezia which met on Tuesday, November 5th and appointed Koyo Kouoh as Director of the Visual Arts Department, with the specific task of curating the 61st International Art Exhibition to be held in 2026.

But who is Koyo Kouoh?

Regarded as a a trail blazer Koyo is credited with  bringing African creativity to global attention. From visionary exhibitions like “When We See Us” to supporting artists across the continent and its diaspora.

Koyo Kouoh (Camerun / Switzerland) is the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town since 2019. Prior to this appointment, she was the founding Artistic Director of RAW Material Company, a centre for art, knowledge and society in Dakar, Senegal, as well as part of the curatorial teams for documenta 12 (2007) and documenta 13 (2012).

Kouoh is the recipient of the Grand Prix Meret Oppenheim 2020, the Swiss Grand Award for Art that honours achievements in the fields of art, architecture, critique, and exhibitions. She lives and works alternately in Cape Town, South Africa; Dakar, Senegal; and Basel, Switzerland.