Rome, Francesco Stocchi leaves the direction of MAXXI

Francesco Stocchi will leave the artistic direction of MAXXI in Rome at the end of his term. The announcement came through a communication from the MAXXI Foundation, which confirmed that his tenure will end in June 2026 and the shared decision not to proceed with a second term. The news marks the end of a three-year tenure at the helm of the art department of Rome’s National Museum of XXI Century Arts, one of Italy’s leading cultural institutions dedicated to contemporary art, architecture and interdisciplinary research. According to a statement from the foundation, the conclusion of the experience will take place “in an atmosphere of mutual valorization of the shared experience.” Despite the end of his formal appointment, Stocchi will continue to collaborate with the museum on a number of projects already included in future programming, ensuring continuity for the initiatives developed during his directorship.

The choice, at least for the moment, has not been accompanied by any indications on the future structure of the institution’s artistic governance. Indeed, the question remains open as to what organizational model will be adopted by the Foundation after Stocchi’s term ends. It is not yet clear whether the process for the appointment of a new artistic director will be initiated or whether there will be a move toward an internal redistribution of responsibilities through a revision of the Foundation’s statute. No official communication on this issue has been released at the moment. Instead, the presence of Lorenza Baroncelli at the head of MAXXI’s Department of Architecture remains confirmed, a position taken up in January 2023.

The announcement of the end of the term was accompanied by the words of the president of the MAXXI Foundation, Maria Emanuela Bruni, who wanted to emphasize the contribution made by the Roman curator over the past years. “I would like to thank Francesco Stocchi for the critical intelligence and curatorial sensitivity with which he has accompanied MAXXI in these years, helping to strengthen its identity and open new perspectives of research and dialogue with the public. His work has left an important mark on the life of the Museum,” said the president.

This recognition highlights Stocchi’s role in a significant phase for the Roman institution, which is committed to consolidating its international profile and strengthening the relationship between artistic research, the public and contemporary cultural production.

The outgoing director also entrusted a statement with his own review of his experience at MAXXI, emphasizing the collective value of curatorial work and the role of intellectual autonomy within cultural institutions.

“Curating the programming of a museum is equivalent to charting the course of a collective journey. It is a task that requires responsibility and vision. I am grateful to MAXXI and the entire team for the shared journey. I have always considered autonomy of thought and freedom of artistic practice as indispensable elements of cultural engagement. I will continue to follow closely some of the projects already under way, in the belief that curatorial work is also made up of listening, continuity and deep commitment to artists, audiences and institutions,” Stocchi said.

The conclusion of his term comes exactly three years after his appointment in June 2023, when he was chosen to succeed Hou Hanru at the artistic helm of the Roman museum. His leadership has unfolded in a period characterized by a progressive redefinition of the role of contemporary cultural institutions and a growing focus on ways to engage the public. Throughout his tenure, the relationship between museum, artists and community has been one of the central axes of programming, in a phase that has seen MAXXI confront the transformations of the international art system and the new demands of contemporary cultural production.

Born in Rome in 1975, Francesco Stocchi is considered one of the most active and internationally recognized Italian curatorial figures. Before his arrival at MAXXI he had built a career developed between Italy and Europe, taking positions in some of the main institutions dedicated to modern and contemporary art. From 2012 to 2023 he was curator of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, one of the most important museums in the Netherlands, where he contributed to the development of an exhibition program characterized by a strong focus on the dialogue between contemporary art practices and reinterpretations of art history.

At the same time he served as head of the artistic program of the Fondazione Memmo in Rome and curator of the exhibition program of the Fondazione Carriero in Milan, consolidating a network of collaborations that led him to work in different contexts, from the public museum system to private foundations. His career has also been marked by participation in leading international exhibition events. In 2022, he was curator of the Swiss Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, created with the project of artists Latifa Echakhch and Alexandre Babel. In 2021 he also served as co-curator of the 34th São Paulo Biennale, one of the most important contemporary art exhibitions globally. More recently, he was among the curators of “Fantastica,” the 18th Rome Quadrennial that opened in 2025, contributing to one of the main events dedicated to Italian contemporary art. In the course of his activity he has also curated exhibitions dedicated to numerous artists of international prominence, including Francesca Woodman, Cindy Sherman, Arcangelo Sassolino, Dan Colen and Giuseppe Penone, building a professional path characterized by constant attention to contemporary artistic practices and emerging languages.

The conclusion of his tenure now opens a new phase for MAXXI. The Foundation has not yet indicated what the next steps will be or whether a figure will be identified to take over his legacy. The absence of official communications leaves open several scenarios, which could range from the appointment of a new artistic director to an internal reorganization of responsibilities. In the meantime, Stocchi’s collaboration with the museum will continue through a number of already planned projects, allowing for a smooth transition and ensuring continuity of the initiatives launched during his tenure.

Rome, Francesco Stocchi leaves the direction of MAXXI

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