Hedwig Fijen to Depart as Founding Director of Manifesta

Why It Matters

Fijen’s departure marks a leadership shift for Europe’s most mobile contemporary art biennial, testing its ability to maintain innovative programming while navigating tighter cultural funding. The new directors’ interdisciplinary focus could broaden partnerships and reinforce Manifesta’s role as a catalyst for urban and cultural regeneration.

Key Takeaways

• Fijen led Manifesta for 35 years since its 1991 inception.
• She expanded the biennial into an interdisciplinary platform on urban change.
• Over 1,000 site‑specific works were commissioned under her direction.
• Emilia van Lynden becomes general director; Catherine Nichols appointed artistic director.
• Manifesta 17 slated for Coimbra, Portugal, in 2028 under new leadership.

Pulse Analysis

Since its launch in 1996, Manifesta has become Europe’s most itinerant contemporary art biennial, moving from Rotterdam to Palermo, Pristina, Barcelona and now the Ruhr Valley. Under founding director Hedwig Fijen, the platform grew from a pure exhibition space into a laboratory for social and urban research, inviting architects, urban planners and cultural theorists to collaborate with artists. This interdisciplinary model generated more than 1,000 site‑specific commissions, positioning Manifesta as a catalyst for emerging curators and a barometer of geopolitical shifts across the continent.

The supervisory board’s recent appointments signal a deliberate continuity and refresh. Emilia van Lynden, who joined the International Foundation Manifesta in 2019 and currently serves as deputy director, steps up as general director, bringing a background in cultural policy and project management. Berlin‑based Catherine Nichols, the artistic director of the 2022 edition, assumes the artistic helm, known for her mediating curatorial style that bridges local contexts with global discourse. Together they are tasked with shaping Manifesta 17, scheduled for Coimbra, Portugal, in 2028, while preserving the biennial’s experimental edge.

Leadership change arrives at a moment when European cultural institutions face tighter public budgets and heightened competition for private sponsorship. Manifesta’s reputation for launching careers and activating under‑utilized urban sites makes it an attractive partner for municipalities seeking cultural regeneration. The new directors’ emphasis on interdisciplinary research could deepen collaborations with universities and tech firms, opening fresh revenue streams and expanding audience reach. As the biennial prepares for its next host city, stakeholders will watch whether the transition sustains its legacy of risk‑taking while delivering measurable social impact.