Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share the exciting news that after an extensive international search, we have appointed John Zeppetelli as the new Carol and Morton Rapp Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art. The AGO will officially announce John’s appointment with a news release tomorrow.
John is a Canadian and joins us from the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC), where he was Director and Chief Curator for more than ten years. At the MAC, John led a large team and simultaneously curated many exhibitions. He also oversaw the capital campaign for the expansive renovation that is currently underway. His recent curatorial projects include Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia (2023-24), Jeremy Shaw’s Phase Shifting Index (2023-24), Mundos (2017) by Mexican artist, Teresa Margolles and Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything (2017). John has previously held curatorial roles with the Phi Foundation for Contemporary Art, Montreal, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK, as well as teaching positions in Quebec and Nova Scotia. He has worked with a wide array of international artists and has particular expertise in time based media.
John’s arrival promises to position the AGO and its contemporary program as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. He will play a lead role in our planning for the opening in 2027 of the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, which is designed to accommodate our growing collection in this area. When complete, the expansion will add more than 40,000 square feet of flexible gallery space, over five floors.
Please join me in welcoming John when he starts his new role at the AGO next Monday, September 16.
Julian Cox (pronouns: he/him/his)
Deputy Director & Chief Curator
Volunteers, we’ve had questions wondering if John is replacing Debbie Johnsen, who spoke with us earlier this month on Moments in Modernism. Debbie is not going anywhere! Debbie a Manager in this area, not a Curator. Their roles are interrelated. John and Debbie will work together! Cheers – Holly