Massimiliano Gioni has been appointed as the new director of the New Museum in New York City.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the institution, which seeks to rebuild its visitor base after a two-year closure [2]. Gioni, an Italian curator and critic, takes over the role of Toby Devan Lewis Director to guide the museum's recovery while maintaining its reputation for avant-garde and edgy programming [2, 3].
Gioni previously served as the museum's longtime artistic director. His transition to the overall director role began in early August 2026. While some reports indicated a start date of Aug. 1 [1], other records state his tenure officially began on Aug. 3, 2026 [4].
The New Museum, located at 235 Bowery, has undergone significant physical changes to support its growth [2, 3]. A new wing has doubled the museum's exhibition space [1], providing Gioni with more capacity to host large-scale installations, and diverse contemporary art.
Despite his professional ascent in the U.S. art world, Gioni has reflected on his personal identity as an outsider. "Qui in America resto un immigrato" (Here in America I remain an immigrant), Gioni said [4].
The museum's leadership believes Gioni's vision is essential for the institution to navigate its post-closure era. The goal is to balance the need for increased attendance with the preservation of the museum's commitment to challenging, non-traditional art [2, 3].
“The museum aims to rebuild attendance after a two-year closure while preserving its avant-garde character.”
The promotion of Massimiliano Gioni from artistic director to overall director suggests the New Museum is prioritizing a curator-led recovery strategy. By leveraging Gioni's established international reputation and the expanded physical footprint of the museum, the institution is attempting to pivot from a period of instability—marked by a prolonged shutdown—back to its role as a primary hub for experimental art in New York.
