ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Elvira Dyangani Ose to lead Zeitz MOCAA, succeeding Koyo Kouoh

institutional · 2026-08-12

Elvira Dyangani Ose will take on the role of artistic director at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) in Cape Town, effective from 1 October. She replaces Koyo Kouoh, who held the position of director and chief curator until her passing in 2025. Currently, Dyangani Ose is the artistic director for the 2026–27 Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial and has recently left her position at MACBA in Barcelona, reportedly due to conflicts with her upcoming biennial responsibilities. Her extensive experience includes senior and curatorial roles at The Showroom in London, Creative Time in New York, and Tate in London. This appointment signifies a notable shift in leadership for the esteemed African contemporary art institution.

Key facts

  • Elvira Dyangani Ose appointed artistic director of Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town.
  • She starts on 1 October.
  • She succeeds Koyo Kouoh, who was director and chief curator from 2019 until her death in 2025.
  • Dyangani Ose is currently artistic director of the 2026–27 Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.
  • She recently stepped down as director of MACBA, Barcelona.
  • Her prior roles include The Showroom, London; Creative Time, New York; and Tate, London.
  • The appointment is a major leadership change for the museum.

Entities

Artists

  • Elvira Dyangani Ose
  • Koyo Kouoh
  • David Green
  • Jochen Zeitz
  • Gabi Ngcobo
  • Tracy Murinik
  • Khwezi Guli
  • Bouchra Khalili
  • Betye Saar
  • Ibrahim El-Salahi
  • Carrie Mae Weems

Institutions

  • Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
  • MACBA
  • The Showroom
  • Creative Time
  • Tate
  • Zeitz MOCAA
  • Artnet News
  • Tate Modern
  • Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo
  • Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
  • The New York Times
  • The Showroom London
  • BMW Centre for Art Education
  • Koyo Kouoh Atelier
  • CIMAM
  • Fondazione Prada
  • Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo
  • Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno
  • Goldsmith's, University of London
  • Cornell University
  • Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Locations

  • Cape Town
  • South Africa
  • Abu Dhabi
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Barcelona
  • Spain
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • New York
  • United States
  • Madrid
  • Gothenburg
  • Sweden
  • Lubumbashi
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Seville
  • Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  • Harare
  • Zimbabwe

Sources