Max Hollein

Max Hollein. An Austrian-born art historian and museum director, he is a prominent figure in the global art world, currently serving as the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His career is distinguished by transformative leadership at several of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions, including the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, the Städel Museum, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Hollein is recognized for his innovative programming, ambitious architectural expansions, and successful efforts to broaden museum audiences and strengthen financial foundations.

Early life and education

Born into a family deeply connected to the arts in Vienna, his father was the renowned architect Hans Hollein, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. He pursued his academic studies in art history and business administration at the University of Vienna, cultivating a dual expertise in cultural scholarship and institutional management. He furthered his education at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, solidifying his foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the art world. This unique combination of artistic heritage and formal training in art history and administration prepared him for a career at the highest levels of museum leadership.

Career

His professional journey began at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where he worked under director Thomas Krens, gaining early exposure to the operations of a major global museum network. He returned to Europe to assume the directorship of the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt in 2001, quickly establishing a reputation for bold, contemporary exhibitions. In 2006, his responsibilities expanded significantly when he was also appointed director of the Städel Museum and the Liebieghaus sculpture collection, overseeing a major period of growth for these historic Frankfurt institutions. His success in Germany led to his transatlantic appointment in 2016 as Director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a role that encompassed leadership of the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor.

Leadership at major museums

At the Städel Museum, he spearheaded a celebrated underground expansion designed by the architecture firm Schneider+Schumacher, which won the German Architecture Prize. His tenure at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco was marked by critically acclaimed exhibitions, such as a major retrospective of the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, and initiatives to increase community engagement. In 2018, he was selected to lead the Metropolitan Museum of Art, succeeding Thomas P. Campbell. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he has overseen a strategic institutional reset, navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and launched significant initiatives like the modern and contemporary art program "The Met Now." He has also advanced major capital projects, including the renovation of the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing for the display of the museum's African, Ancient American, and Oceanic collections.

Awards and recognition

His contributions to culture have been honored with several prestigious awards. He is a recipient of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class, one of Austria's highest state decorations. In 2012, he was awarded the Goethe Medal of the Federal Republic of Germany for his outstanding service to international cultural relations. The French government appointed him a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognizing his significant impact on the arts. His leadership at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also been acknowledged through his inclusion on influential lists such as the TIME 100 list of the world's most influential people.

Personal life

He is married to art historian Nina Hollein, who has also held curatorial positions at institutions like the Museum für Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt. The couple has children and maintains residences in both New York City and Europe. His personal and professional life remains closely tied to the international art community, often participating in global forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos and serving on advisory boards for various cultural organizations.

Category:Austrian art historians Category:Museum directors Category:Metropolitan Museum of Art people