Episode Description
After a decade, Andreas Ruby left his post as director of the S AM Swiss Architecture Museum at the end of 2025. On October 6, the Board of Trustees confirmed the search committee's unanimous proposal to appoint Adam Szymczyk as the new Director of S AM. Born in 1970, Szymczyk studied art history at the University of Warsaw and completed the curatorial training program at De Appel in Amsterdam. In 1997, he co-founded the Foksal Gallery Foundation in Warsaw. He worked as director and curator at Kunsthalle Basel between 2002 and 2014, curating over 80 exhibitions.
Adam Szymczyk sees works and projects by architects and artists as responding to pressing issues of our time, such as the need for meaningful and responsible use of resources, as well as the social relevance of the profession and its actors. In Szymczyk's work, critical examination of history serves as an inspiration for the present and serves to define a vision for the future. Beyond the sensory quality of his exhibitions, Szymczyk's curatorial practice is characterized by precision of observations and clarity in communication with the audience, and similar qualities were also evident in his presentation to the selection committee.
Stories from Museums of Switzerland: Podcast Interview Series with Museum Curators
Our podcast series, Conversations with Curators, brings listeners a collection of audio stories that go beyond travel to explore the soul of Switzerland as an art capital. In this series, we focus on in-depth interviews with museum curators across the country. Hear firsthand about their institutions, the histories behind their collections, and the unique perspectives they bring to preserving Swiss culture.
From intimate conversations about curatorial choices to behind-the-scenes insights into exhibitions, every episode captures the voices shaping Switzerland's cultural landscape. Alongside museums, we also feature stories about Swiss cities, iconic brands, and the rich traditions that make the country unique.
In the first season, "Conversations with Curators," celebrates the legacy of Basel's museums. Nestled within just 42 square kilometers, Basel is home to nearly 40 museums—making it a true city of art and culture. In this series, we sit down with curators from across the museums of the city to explore the stories behind the collections, the ideas shaping exhibitions, and the passion that keeps Basel's museums alive. From world-renowned institutions to hidden gems, from the largest to the smallest, join us as we uncover the voices behind the art and heritage that make Basel a museum capital of not just Switzerland, but Europe.
Discover Switzerland through the eyes of those who safeguard its heritage—one interview at a time.
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