Ayala Foundation has announced the appointment of Reuben Keehan as artistic director of Kontempo, the forthcoming center for contemporary art in Circuit Makati.
Keehan is relocating to the Philippines from Australia, where he has served as curator of contemporary Asian art at Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art since 2011. He has played a central role in shaping the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art from its seventh edition onward, working closely with artists, curators, and institutions across the region including the Philippines.
Said Ayala Foundation chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala: “Following a global search, we are delighted to welcome Reuben to define and develop the institution and its program. His selection reflects our ambition to build an institution that is rooted in the Philippines, attentive to its communities, and in active dialogue with the international art world. We envision Kontempo as a space that fosters curiosity and creativity, where people of all ages can engage with contemporary culture through a rich, multidisciplinary range of artistic expression.”
Keehan said he is “deeply honored” to take on the role of artistic director of Kontempo. He added: “The Philippines has long been a vital and dynamic force within contemporary art and culture in the region, and the idea of Kontempo as a connective hub that brings artists and audiences together, encourages dialogue across disciplines, and links the Philippines with the wider world is what drew me to this project. I am excited to work with communities, stakeholders, and future partners in the Philippines and beyond to shape an institution that is responsive, open, and meaningfully engaged with its context.”
Kontempo–Center for Contemporary Art, Philippines will present exhibitions, commissions, research, education, and community-facing programs, and will form part of a broader creative campus connected to everyday urban life. It was designed by Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture, in collaboration with leading Philippine firm Lor Calma & Partners headed by Ed Calma.
“For more than six decades, Ayala Foundation has run programs and institutions that advance arts and culture, youth leadership, and community development, anchored in our commitment to building thriving Filipino communities,” Ayala Foundation president Tony Lambino said. “Kontempo builds on this by expanding access to contemporary art and providing a space that is welcoming and inclusive. We are confident that Reuben will lead the center in ways that are deeply connected to the communities it serves and curate programs that will foster meaningful dialogue.”
Kontempo forms part of the 2.5-hectare Circuit Makati Cultural District developed on the former Santa Ana Race Track, a popular venue for horse racing from 1937 until its relocation in 2009. Today, the area is evolving into a destination for culture, creativity, and community engagement, anchored by a 1,500-seat performing arts theater and a growing cluster of multipurpose venues. It hosted Art Fair Philippines for the first time on Feb. 6–8.
The center will comprise three major gallery spaces totaling approximately 2,500 square meters, alongside 15,000 square meters of open green space designed for art installations, gardens, and public use.
Kontempo builds on Ayala Foundation’s long-standing stewardship of cultural institutions, including the Ayala Museum, which for more than five decades has served as a public institution dedicated to Philippine history, art, and heritage. —CONTRIBUTED
For more information, visit https://www.ayalafoundation.org/who-we-are/
