Leadership Transition at Manifesta: Fijen Steps Down, Van Lynden and Nichols Take Over
Hedwig Fijen, who founded Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial, will step down from her role on October 5. The International Foundation Manifesta's supervisory board has revealed that Emilia van Lynden and Catherine Nichols will succeed her, with van Lynden becoming the general director and Nichols the artistic director. Fijen was appointed in 1991 by the Netherlands Office for Fine Arts to establish a European platform and has overseen Manifesta, choosing cities like Palermo in 2018, Pristina in 2022, and Barcelona in 2024, with Ruhr set for 2026. Van Lynden has been the deputy director since 2019, while Berlin-based Nichols contributed to the 2022 biennial and will help lead Manifesta 17 in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2028.
Key facts
- Hedwig Fijen steps down as Manifesta director on 5 October.
- Emilia van Lynden becomes general director.
- Catherine Nichols becomes artistic director.
- Fijen founded Manifesta in 1991 for the Netherlands Office for Fine Arts.
- Manifesta editions under Fijen include Palermo (2018), Pristina (2022), Barcelona (2024), and Ruhr (2026).
- Van Lynden has been deputy director since 2019.
- Nichols was creative mediator for 2022 and on artistic board for 2026.
- New leadership begins with Manifesta 17 in Coimbra, Portugal (2028).
Entities
Artists
- Hedwig Fijen
- Emilia van Lynden
- Catherine Nichols
Institutions
- Manifesta
- European Nomadic Biennial
- International Foundation Manifesta
- Netherlands Office for Fine Arts
- exibart.com
- Dutch Office for Fine Arts
Locations
- The Hague
- Netherlands
- Palermo
- Italy
- Pristina
- Kosovo
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Ruhr
- Germany
- Berlin
- Coimbra
- Portugal
- Prishtina
- Essen
- Bochum
- Gelsenkirchen
- Duisburg