Jo-Lene Ong Appointed New Curator for Buro Stedelijk at Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam has announced the appointment of Jo-Lene Ong as the new Curator of Buro Stedelijk. Beginning her three-year term on March 1, 2026, Ong will lead this independently managed, multidisciplinary, and experimental platform within the renowned museum, marking a significant new phase for the institution's engagement with contemporary art and design.
Shaping Amsterdam's Contemporary Art Scene: A New Vision for Buro Stedelijk
Buro Stedelijk, established in 2022, serves as a dynamic space fostering artistic experimentation and connecting with Amsterdam's diverse communities. Under Ong's leadership, the platform is set to continue its role as a hub for new curatorial practices, exchange, and innovation. Ong expresses her vision to cultivate a "place of genuine connection – a warm, open space that hosts Amsterdam’s people, ideas and worlds," emphasizing the city's unique position as a crossroads of international currents and intertwined histories.
Rein Wolfs, Director of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, highlighted Ong's "deeply considered and internationally grounded curatorial practice" and her familiarity with the local Amsterdam art scene. This focus on process, collaboration, and institutional experimentation aligns with the museum's goal of maintaining Buro Stedelijk as an autonomous space for new ideas.
Rubiah Balsem, Chair of the Advisory Board for Buro Stedelijk, welcomed Ong's approach, which centers on "hosting-as-hospitality" and a playful, research-driven practice. Her appointment is anticipated to broaden Buro Stedelijk’s intergenerational and international perspective, further integrating the platform within Amsterdam's cultural landscape.
Jo-Lene Ong's Curatorial Approach and International Experience
Jo-Lene Ong brings extensive curatorial experience from both Asia and Europe. Her practice is distinguished by a strong emphasis on collaboration, in-depth research, and long-term projects designed to rethink how cultural institutions interact with artists and audiences. She is known for developing programs that prioritize shared authorship, sustained dialogue, and active public engagement.
Her past initiatives include co-founding the CounterArchive Collective Filmmaking Lab, contributing to the Unpacking Infrastructure curatorial exchange for the 16th Sharjah Biennial, and launching the Thinking Ecologically seminar series at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. Prior to this role, Ong served as Curator at esea contemporary in Manchester and as a Program Advisor for the 12th Seoul Mediacity Biennale. She has also contributed to projects with institutions such as the Hartwig Art Foundation, Framer Framed, the National Art Center Tokyo, and the Mori Art Museum. From 2020 to 2024, she tutored theory at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and is an alumna of the De Appel Curatorial Programme (2017–2018).
Ong succeeds Rita Ouédraogo, who concluded her term at the end of 2025. The curator of Buro Stedelijk is appointed for a three-year period and operates with a high degree of independence, guided by an advisory board. The ongoing operations of Buro Stedelijk continue to receive support from Ammodo and Fonds 21.
Jo-Lene Ong. Photo: Bo Wang
This new appointment signifies a fresh direction for Buro Stedelijk, promising engaging and collaborative initiatives for visitors and the artistic community in Amsterdam. To discover more about the vibrant cultural scene in the city, explore other museums in Amsterdam or find more cultural initiatives on Musemap (musemap.art).
