Antonia Ruder has been appointed as the new director of Gallery Weekend Berlin (GWB), a major position in the city’s commercial art world. Ruder, who will join the organization in November, will take charge of the eponymous gallery weekend, which will celebrate its 20th edition next year (April 26-28, 2024).
Ruder currently directs communications for Berlin’s Schaubühne Theatre, known for its cutting-edge interdisciplinary program. She helped “bridge the gap between theater and the visual arts world”, during her time there, according to a press release. Previously, she worked for a number of German arts and cultural organisations, including the BMW Group, where she was instrumental in establishing the partnership between GWB and the German automaker that endures today.
This appointment was closely watched, as Ruder’s predecessor, Maike Cruse, announced his departure in May to take on one of the industry’s most coveted roles: director of Switzerland’s flagship Art Basel fair. Cruse begins his new role on July 1.
Ruder will now take the helm of Berlin’s main commercial art event, for which around 55 of the city’s galleries open exhibitions over the same weekend. The event helps galvanize sales in a city that lacks a major art fair, and sees international collectors and visitors flock to enjoy a program of art exhibitions, performances and social events.
Gallery Weekend Berlin will also launch a new “festival” during Berlin Art Week, a separately held event in September, which was established in 2012 and focuses more on institutions in the city. The commercial position of the event has been in flux for several years, following the cancellation in 2019 of the Art Berlin Contemporary fair which took place the same week. The next iteration of Berlin Art Week (September 13-17) will see GWB hosting readings, performances, concerts and DJ sets over the weekend of September 16-17, according to a press release. More information about the program will be announced soon.
“I look forward to the new challenge of further expanding Gallery Weekend Berlin as a remarkable and indispensable date in the national and international art calendar,” Ruder said in a statement. “The success of Gallery Weekend represents the city’s unique gallery scene and underlines Berlin’s importance as an art market hub. I see it as my main goal to further strengthen its role and function. I look forward to the preparations for next year’s Anniversary Edition.”
