Karin Hindsbo, the director of the newly opened National Museum of Norway, has been appointed director of the Tate Modern in London, one of the largest and busiest museums in the world. Taking up the post in September, Danish-born Hindsbo will replace Frances Morris, who announced plans to step down from the museum in 2016 to focus on conservation projects and climate change.
Hindsbo said she was “beyond delighted” to take on the job and that “some of my greatest experiences with art” have occurred at the museum, located in the former Bankside Power Station in London on the Thames. “I look forward to continuing the magnificent work in progress, creating a unique and inspiring museum for a wide and diverse audience.”
Maria Balshaw, director of Tate, which consists of four Tate museums: Modern, Britain, Liverpool and St Ives, noted the success of the National Museum, whose creation Hindsbo was commissioned to oversee in 2017. The Oslo museum merges the collections of four institutions; its 400,000 objects make it the largest museum in the Nordic countries. Although the Dane was critical in the Norwegian press for its management style, acquisition choices and delays, the museum was unveiled last June to positive reviews.
“Its nuanced and diverse approach to expressing national and transnational artistic ecologies fits brilliantly with the ethos of Tate Modern,” said Balshaw. “Working alongside the exceptional team at Tate Modern, I know Karin will bring vision, creativity and a spirit of artistic ambition that will see us continue to reach new heights in the years to come.”
Hindsbo has also worked as director of Kode in Bergen (2014–17), Sørlandets Kunstmuseum in Kristiansand (2012–14), Kunsthal Aarhus (2009–11) and Den Frie Center for Contemporary Art in Copenhagen (2006–08), en more from the danish newspaper edition Øjeblikket. She studied at Aarhus University and Humboldt University in Berlin.
