The Renaissance Society announces new Director, Solveig Øvstebø
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago
5811 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago IL 60637
The Renaissance Society at The University of Chicago has announced the appointment of Solveig Øvstebø as the organization’s first new Executive Director in nearly 40 years. Øvstebø is currently the Director of Bergen Kunsthall, a premier avant-garde contemporary art space in her native Norway. She will start at The Renaissance Society in June 2013 and, until that time, current longtime Executive Director Susanne Ghez will remain at the helm; a position she has held since 1974.
“The Renaissance Society has built a reputation for being artist-focused and identifying new art that is conceptually rigorous and formally strong,” said Greg Cameron, President of the Board of The Renaissance Society. “Solveig has demonstrated her curatorial muscle and intellectual power. The Board is excited to bring her to Chicago, confident that our city’s cultural landscape, and the art community around the world, will be enriched by her contributions.”
“Solveig has a strong artistic vision along with experience in building an institution. She will be an outstanding leader for The Renaissance Society as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015. She comes to Chicago with a demonstrated commitment to supporting artists who are creating important new work. The international art community will be rewarded with an exciting and strong curatorial vision,” added Ghez.
The Renaissance Society is an internationally renowned non-collecting museum of contemporary art located on the campus of the University of Chicago, at 5811 South Ellis Avenue in Hyde Park. The Renaissance Society’s offerings, from its exhibitions to its education and publication programs, are engaged with the evolving question of what art is, and what art can be.
For more information on The Renaissance Society, please visit www.renaissancesociety.org.
