Museum of Contemporary Art Denver names new director

"Kiendl served most recently as the chief executive and executive director at the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG). He was selected from more than 100 candidates in an international search and was the unanimous choice by the committee, according to MCA Denver board chair Steve Cohen. "Denver has a growing, thriving, diverse population and it's very important that the museum serve all the constituents in our local community," Cohen says."

""Anthony understood that and MCA Denver's culture internally, which is one of collaboration." The museum, which marks its 30th anniversary next year, has become recognised nationally for its curatorial rigour coupled with a playful, unconventional approach to programming. "We're quirky and we're fun but we take art seriously and we need to make that all work," Cohen says, noting Kiendl's depth of curatorial experience."

"Kiendl, who is 57, stepped down from the VAG role in March after deciding together with its board not to move forward on a long-planned Herzog & de Meuron-designed building because of surging costs. During his five-year tenure there, beginning in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Kiendl increased earned revenue, capital funding, admissions and membership as well as growing the permanent collection by more than 1,100 objects."

Anthony Kiendl will assume the directorship of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver on December 1. He succeeds Nora Burnett Abrams and was chosen from over 100 international candidates by a unanimous committee vote. Kiendl served most recently as chief executive and executive director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Kiendl understands MCA Denver's collaborative culture and will focus on serving Denver's diverse population while growing membership, attendance, and fundraising. During Kiendl's five-year VAG tenure he increased earned revenue, capital funding, admissions, and membership, and expanded the permanent collection by more than 1,100 objects. Kiendl stepped down from VAG after abandoning a planned Herzog & de Meuron building due to surging costs.

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