Philippe Vergne Appointed Artistic Director and Chief Curator of Bass Museum

Starting October 1, Philippe Vergne will take on the role of the first artistic director and chief curator at the Bass Museum in Miami Beach. Before this, he worked at the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, overseeing the 2024 launch of the Álvaro Siza Wing. He’s stepping in for James Voorhies and has teamed up with his longtime friend, executive director Silvia Karman Cubiñá, to shape this new position. Vergne's past includes co-curating the 2006 Whitney Biennial and organizing shows for artists like Kara Walker and Yves Klein. Meanwhile, the museum is developing a 22,000-square-foot parking lot into new galleries and event spaces, with funding of $20.1 million from city bonds. Current exhibitions feature works from Jack Pierson and Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, running until July 19, aligning with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Vergne's new role comes right before Art Basel Miami Beach in two months.