Elvira Dyangani Ose has been appointed Artistic Director of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA). She will assume office on 1 October 2026 and is expected to lead the museum during its critical decade.
Dyangani Ose has worked in several prestigious European, African, and American museums. Previously, she was the director of Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) and The Showroom in London and a curator at Tate Modern and Creative Time in New York. Currently, she is the Artistic Director of the 2026–2027 Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.
Her appointment as Zeitz MOCAA’s new Artistic Director comes at a crucial time for the museum. Ms. Dyangani Ose succeeds the late Koyo Kouoh who led the museum during its early years, from 2019 until her passing last May. According to Kouoh’s biography, she played a significant role in positioning Zeitz MOCAA as a critical player in the global contemporary art scene.
Zeitz MOCAA announced that Dyangani Ose would lead the museum’s curatorial vision, including exhibitions, research, collections, and public programs. Moreover, her appointment was made as the museum’s leadership transforms and prepares to enter its second decade of existence.
“Her appointment reflects who we are as an institution, one that is connected to Africa while being part of the wider world,” said Zeitz MOCAA co-founder and co-chair David Green OBE. He added that she has the experience and track record of leadership to guide the museum through the next phase of its growth while building on the legacy of Koyo Kouoh.
Dyangani Ose’s professional life has been spent representing and supporting artists from Africa and the African diaspora. She has had a significant impact wherever she has worked, advancing her Pan-African vision while fostering a more comprehensive approach to exhibition-making and the management of the museum sector.
“I am honored to be appointed to this new position at Zeitz MOCAA,” said Dyangani Ose. “I am thrilled to contribute to the future of this groundbreaking institution at such an exciting time for the museum and the wider art world.”
“I look forward to working with the museum’s staff, artists, patrons, and wider community to further expand Zeitz MOCAA’s inspiring vision and foster rich cultural exchange between global collections and local audiences,” she added.
Notably, her hiring marks the first step in Zeitz MOCAA’s new leadership structure. From now on, the museum will have two senior leaders who will share responsibility for the museum. In addition to overseeing the museum’s creative vision, Dyangani Ose will supervise its curatorial, exhibitions, and public programs. Meanwhile, Fawaz Mustapha, the newly hired Chief Financial Officer, will oversee the museum’s business administration, finance, and governance.
Thus, for the next ten years, Zeitz MOCAA will continue to transform, innovate, and set the agenda for contemporary art in Africa. In particular, under the dynamic leadership of Elvira Dyangani Ose, the museum aims to maximize its global impact while promoting and elevating the voices of African and diasporic artists and art lovers.
