Just as the art world descends on the Venice Biennale, a new foundation has quietly launched in memory of its late curator, Koyo Kouoh. Because apparently, even death can’t stop a good art exhibition from opening, nor a vital legacy from expanding.
The Koyo Kouoh Foundation, based in Basel, Switzerland, isn't just a dusty archive. It's a living, breathing continuation of Kouoh's work, designed to keep her traditions dynamic rather than static. Their core belief? Art isn't neutral. It's a potent force, shaped by history, power, and access, and it reflects the very structure of our culture, not just a pretty afterthought.
This new venture will champion emerging and established organizations and curators, with a special focus on Africa. Think of it as a global hub for resources, funding, and support, especially for those often-overlooked voices in contemporary African cultural production. It’s about creating spaces for research, education, and sharing practices that might have been sidelined elsewhere.
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Start Your News DetoxAmong its first acts, the foundation will support RAW Material Company, the arts and research organization Kouoh herself founded in Dakar in 2008. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying in its organizational foresight.
A Prize and a Permanent Home
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to establish the Koyo Kouoh Prize. This isn't just a pat on the back; it's a serious nod to artists, curators, researchers, and institution builders whose work sparks critical thought and transformative cultural practice. They're also creating a long-term home for the Koyo Kouoh Collection, a treasure trove of art, archives, and research that embodies her values.
The team leading this charge is a who's who of the art world, including Kouoh’s partner of 17 years, Philippe Mall, artist Alfredo Jaar, Adrienne Edwards from the Whitney Museum, Kate Fowle from the Hearthland Foundation, and Josef Helfenstein, former director of the Kunstmuseum Basel. They're currently seeking financial support, because even world-changing art foundations need a budget.
At the time of her passing a year ago, Kouoh was deep into curating "In Minor Keys," the main exhibition for the 2026 Biennale, which fittingly explores art as a means to sustain life. She was also the executive director and chief curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, and had a resume that included curating six editions of the EVA International, the Ireland Biennial, and serving on the curatorial teams for Documenta 12 and 13.
In a video on the foundation's website, Kouoh once described curating as 20% research, intellect, and critique, and a whopping 80% organization, coordination, and logistics. Because even the most profound artistic visions, it turns out, still need someone to book the trucks and manage the spreadsheets.
