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Flávia Almeida to Lead MASP After Heitor Martins' 12-Year Tenure

institutional · 2026-08-05

Flávia Almeida is set to take over as president of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp) in September, following Heitor Martins, who has held the position for 12 years and will now chair the board. This leadership change aligns with the museum's notable growth since its relocation to Avenida Paulista in 1968. Almeida, who holds a Business Administration degree from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and an MBA from Harvard, has a background with McKinsey & Company and is involved with various boards. During Martins' tenure, Masp's finances improved significantly, with R$ 1.5 billion raised. The new 14-story Pietro Maria Bardi building, costing US$ 43.5 million, expands exhibition space by 66%. Almeida's goal is to elevate Masp's artistic and global presence.

Key facts

  • Flávia Almeida will become president of Masp in September, succeeding Heitor Martins.
  • Heitor Martins led Masp for 12 years and will now preside over the board.
  • Masp's expansion is the largest since moving to Avenida Paulista in 1968.
  • When Martins took over in 2014, Masp had about R$ 75 million in debt.
  • Approximately R$ 1.5 billion was injected into Masp during Martins' tenure.
  • Almeida has a degree from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and an MBA from Harvard.
  • Almeida is on the boards of Ultrapar, Iguatemi, Rede Américas, and Natura.
  • The new Pietro Maria Bardi building cost US$ 43.5 million and added 14 floors.
  • Exhibition space increased by 66%, and total area is now about 235,300 square feet.
  • The original building was renamed after Lina Bo Bardi.
  • Adriano Pedrosa curated the 2024 Venice Biennale.
  • Almeida was a director at Fundação Bienal de São Paulo and presides over Instituto Tomie Ohtake's board.

Entities

Artists

  • Flávia Almeida
  • Heitor Martins
  • Lina Bo Bardi
  • Pietro Maria Bardi
  • Adriano Pedrosa

Institutions

  • Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp)
  • Fundação Getúlio Vargas
  • Harvard University
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Ultrapar
  • Iguatemi
  • Rede Américas
  • Natura
  • Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
  • Instituto Tomie Ohtake
  • Bienal de Veneza
  • MASP
  • Folha de S.Paulo

Locations

  • São Paulo
  • Brazil
  • Avenida Paulista
  • Veneza
  • Italy

Sources