Neon, Major Greek Contemporary Art Non-Profit, to Close After 14 Years

Neon, the prominent Greek non-profit for contemporary art started by Dimitris Daskalopoulos, is closing its doors after 14 years, having achieved its cultural and social goals. From 2012 to 2026, it hosted 44 exhibitions in various venues, commissioning 105 artworks from both Greek and international artists. A standout was Antony Gormley’s 'RULE II' (2019), which was the first contemporary piece to be permanently placed at a historic site in Delos. In 2020, Neon invested €1.4 million to transform the Lenorman Street Tobacco Factory into a cultural hub, which opened in 2021 and was transferred to the Hellenic Parliament in 2022. The organization also allocated €6 million for grants and scholarships. Its last project will feature a new commission at the Old Acropolis Museum as part of the 'Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures' series, in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Daskalopoulos shared that Neon was established during Greece's economic struggles to make contemporary art more accessible and acknowledged the excellent leadership of director Elina Kountouri. He is also funding the D. Daskalopoulos Arts Building at Athens College, set to open in June 2026, and continues to support the think tank 'diaNEOsis' and various curatorial positions, including one at Tate. He has no intention of creating a personal museum, opting instead for a more mobile approach.