Elvira Dyangani Ose takes the reins as Zeitz MOCAA’s new Artistic Director

Zeitz MOCAA has officially announced Elvira Dyangani Ose as its new Artistic Director, bringing her extensive experience across the global contemporary art world to the Cape Town institution from 1 October 2026.

Dyangani Ose arrives with an extensive international career spanning museum leadership, curating and contemporary art across Africa, Europe and the United States. Her appointment follows an international search and comes at a pivotal moment for the museum as it builds on the foundations established during its first decade.

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Zeitz MOCAA to introduce new Artistic Director following Koyo Kouoh's legacy

The appointment also follows the passing of the museum’s former Executive Director and Chief Curator, Koyo Kouoh, whose influence continues to shape Zeitz MOCAA’s artistic direction. Dyangani Ose will be tasked with developing the museum’s curatorial vision while strengthening its relationships with artists, audiences and cultural institutions locally and internationally.

Her previous leadership roles include Director of Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) and The Showroom in London. She has also held curatorial positions at Tate Modern in London and Creative Time in New York. Alongside her museum experience, she has developed a reputation for championing artists from Africa and its diaspora and for creating spaces for dialogue across cultures and geographies.

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She currently serves as Artistic Director of the second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, running from 2026 to 2027. Her approach combines a pan-African perspective with international institutional experience, making her appointment particularly significant for a museum whose identity is centred on contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

Speaking about her new role, Dyangani Ose said: ‘It is a privilege to join Zeitz MOCAA. I am thrilled to come on board at this moment to continue its journey as a leading African institution with global reach. I look forward to working alongside the museum's remarkable team, artists, supporters, and the local and global communities, building upon its extraordinary foundation by fostering meaningful collaborations and artistic exchanges across cultures and geographies.’

Under Dyangani Ose’s leadership, Zeitz MOCAA will continue its focus on contemporary exhibitions, research, collections, education and public engagement, while supporting the careers of artists from Africa and its diaspora. Her arrival signals an opportunity for the institution to build on its first decade while shaping what the next one will look like.