Ayala Foundation has appointed Reuben Keehan as the incoming Artistic Director of Kontempo, its upcoming center for contemporary art in Circuit Makati. Keehan’s appointment will take effect following the completion of standard clearance and compliance procedures.
The move underscores the Foundation’s commitment to arts and culture as a key pillar of national development and its ambition to position Kontempo as a platform for contemporary artistic practice, dialogue, and public engagement in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region.
“Following a global search, we are delighted to welcome Reuben to define and develop the institution and its program,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Foundation. “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 will relocate later this year from Australia, where he has served as Curator of Contemporary Asian Art at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) since 2011. Over more than a decade, he has played a central role in shaping the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) from its seventh edition onwards, working closely with artists, curators, and institutions across Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines. His curatorial practice emphasizes long-term collaboration, regional exchange, and engagement with artistic communities.
“I am deeply honored to take on the role of Artistic Director,” Keehan said. “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.”
Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation, added: “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. 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 – Center for Contemporary Art, Philippines derives its name from “contemporary,” expressed through Filipino orthographic usage. The institution will host exhibitions, commissions, research, education, and community programs, forming part of a broader creative campus integrated into everyday urban life. Located along the Pasig River, a historic commercial artery, the center aligns with government efforts to revitalize the 25-kilometre Pasig River Esplanade.
Designed by Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture in collaboration with Lor Calma & Partners, led by Ed Calma, the center combines international museum expertise with a deep understanding of Filipino design heritage, drawing inspiration from nature, local craft, and cultural context.
Kontempo is part of the Circuit Makati estate, developed on the former Santa Ana Race Track. Today, the area is evolving into a hub for culture, creativity, and community, anchored by a 1,500-seat performing arts theatre and a growing cluster of multipurpose venues. Situated on a 2.5-hectare site, Kontempo will feature three major gallery spaces totaling approximately 2,500 square meters and 15,000 square meters of open green space for installations, gardens, and public use, integrating indoor and outdoor experiences across the district.
Operating under Ayala Foundation, Kontempo continues the organization’s long-standing stewardship of cultural institutions, including the Ayala Museum, which has served as a public institution dedicated to Philippine history, art, and heritage for over five decades.
Keehan’s appointment comes ahead of Art Fair Philippines, which will take place from February 6 to 8 at Circuit Makati for the first time. Further information on the museum’s architecture, public programs, and partnerships will be shared in conjunction with the fair, with additional updates on construction milestones, exhibitions, and collaborations to follow.
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