Krist Gruijthuijsen appointed as EMMA’s new Finnish Museum Director

“We were thrilled by the strong interest EMMA and the Museum Director position attracted both in Finland and internationally. The call for applications brought in a highly competitive and diverse group of candidates. In selecting the new director, the Board emphasized strong international experience, visionary artistic expertise and proven record in collaborative team leadership and business excellence.” says Saija Äikäs, the Chair of the Board of EMMA Art Museum Foundation. 
 
“Krist Gruijthuijsen impressed us with his visionary leadership and deep commitment fostering innovative and critical artistic practices. Under his guidance, EMMA will embark on a new chapter in order to continue to grow as a dynamic platform for thought-provoking modern and contemporary art and design, while strengthening its role both locally and internationally”, Äikäs continues. 

Krist Gruijthuijsen (b.1980, Netherlands) is a curator and writer known for his artist-driven experimental approach to curating and programming. He currently holds a position as Curator at Large at Kunsthaus Zürich, where he is developing a retrospective of artist Paul Thek. Between 2016–2024 Gruijthuijsen served as Director of KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin. Prior to that, he was the Director of Grazer Kunstverein (2012 –2016) in Graz and Course Director of the MA Fine Arts Department at the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam (2011–2016). He is one of the co- founding directors of Kunstverein in Amsterdam (2009 – 2012). 

In his first comment as the newly appointed Museum Director, Krist Gruijthuijsen emphasizes EMMA’s ambitious programme, growing international role, and personal significance of returning to the Nordics: “I am especially excited by EMMA’s ambitious, flexible and forward-thinking attitude. With its international multi-disciplinary program and striking architecture, the museum has become an established institution in the region. EMMA’s location at the crossroads of Scandinavia and the Baltic States offers a strong geopolitical context, full of potential and opportunities”, says Gruijthuijsen. 

”My connection to Finland dates back to the 2000’s, when I studied in Stockholm and visited Helsinki for the first time. Now, returning to the Nordic region feels like a natural step, and gives me the opportunity to nurture and rekindle the networks built over the past two decades” Gruijthuijsen says. 

”I believe institutions such as EMMA are becoming increasingly important as our understanding of what is considered ’peripheral’ and what is considered ’central’ continues to shift. I am looking forward learning from the region and the various collections the museum oversees” Gruijthuijsen concludes. 

When taking up his role as a Museum Director in EMMA, Gruijthuijsen will also assume the position of CEO.

EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art  was founded in 2006 and is Finland’s largest museum of art, fostering a unique dialogue between modern and contemporary art and design. EMMA is located in Tapiola, Espoo, at the Exhibition Centre WeeGee in a former printing house. The building, designed by architect Aarno Ruusuvuori (1924–1992) is an iconic example of 1960s industrial architecture. The impressive architecture and surrounding nature create exceptional conditions for experiencing EMMA’s exhibitions. The museum hosts around 6 new exhibitions annually, alongside permanent displays of art and design from the Collection Kakkonen, the Saastamoinen Foundation, and the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation. EMMA is also responsible for providing expertise in public art projects commissioned by the City of Espoo, integrating art into urban spaces and daily life.