Lars Nittve

Lars Nittve is a prominent Swedish museum director and curator, renowned for his transformative leadership at several of the world's leading institutions for modern and contemporary art. His career is distinguished by pivotal roles at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, as the founding director of Tate Modern in London, and as the executive director of M+ in Hong Kong. Nittve is widely recognized for his scholarly approach, innovative exhibition programming, and significant contributions to the global museum landscape.

Early life and education

Born in Stockholm in 1953, he developed an early interest in the arts. He pursued his academic studies at Stockholm University, where he focused on art history and literature, laying a strong theoretical foundation for his future career. During this period, he was influenced by the vibrant cultural scene in the Swedish capital and began writing art criticism for various publications, including the newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

Career

His professional journey began in the late 1970s as a curator and critic, quickly establishing himself as a thoughtful voice in the Nordic art world. He served as the director of the Malmö Konsthall from 1986 to 1990, where he organized notable exhibitions that gained international attention. This was followed by a tenure as the head of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic leader capable of engaging broad audiences with ambitious projects.

Directorship of Moderna Museet

Appointed director of Moderna Museet in 1990, he oversaw a period of major revitalization for the institution. He spearheaded a comprehensive reinstallation of the permanent collection, championing both historical modernism and emerging contemporary practices. Under his leadership, the museum presented groundbreaking exhibitions, including a major survey of American artist Andy Warhol and significant shows of Nordic art. His tenure was also marked by planning for the museum's eventual move to a new building on Skeppsholmen, designed by the Spanish architect Rafael Moneo.

International work and later career

In 1998, he was recruited to become the founding director of Tate Modern in London, a role that placed him at the center of a global cultural project. He was instrumental in developing the initial vision, acquisition strategy, and inaugural exhibition program for the new museum, housed in the converted Bankside Power Station. Following the successful launch of Tate Modern, he returned to Sweden in 2001 to become the director of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm. In 2011, he took on the role of executive director for the development of M+, the museum for visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District of Hong Kong, guiding its collection building and architectural planning until 2015.

Personal life

He is married to the art historian and critic Märta Nittve. Residing primarily in Stockholm, he remains active as an advisor, writer, and speaker on international museum practice and contemporary art. He has served on numerous juries and advisory boards, including for the Hugo Boss Prize and the Arnold Bodin foundation, and continues to contribute to major publications and symposia worldwide.

Category:Swedish curators Category:Swedish art critics Category:Museum directors Category:1953 births Category:Living people