New director: Rebecca Matthews

ARoS is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Matthews as Director of ARoS Aarhus Art Museum.

Rebecca Matthews spearheaded Denmark’s European Capital of Culture in 2017 in Aarhus, recognised and celebrated for its exciting cross-artform programme which significantly grew audiences, tourism, investment and profile for the city, region, and country. 

Matthews brings significant leadership to the roll. She has held numerous positions in arts and culture, in the UK, USA, Australia and working across Europe - for the British Council as Director Global Partnerships, at Sydney Opera House and leading the Australia Council for the Arts international programmes including the Venice Biennale in 2003 and 2005. 

She was Director of the award-winning Goodenough College in London and most recently Director of Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, Denmark. In 2017 she was awarded the Ridderkorset (Danish Knight’s Cross), Order of the Dannebrog for services to Danish arts and culture.

The ARoS Board of Directors: “Following a meticulous recruitment process with highly qualified candidates, the Board of ARoS was delighted to appoint Rebecca Matthews as the new Director. She has the vision, drive and experience to take forward the museum’s current positive development and lead ARoS into its next phase. Rebecca has a deep and broad background in the arts and extensive leadership and management experience across the field of culture. The Board is looking forward to working with her.”

Rebecca Matthews, Director, ARoS: “Accepting this unique opportunity to head one of Denmark’s most remarkable cultural flagships is an honour. ARoS is a museum at the heart of its city, a central part of a vibrant cultural life in Denmark and, with its exuberant “Your rainbow panorama” created by Olafur Eliasson, an international magnet and ‘must-visit’ destination. I am immensely excited to lead ARoS in the next chapter of its story and look forward to setting an agenda that champions bold new ideas, enhances historical depth and broad artistic scope while growing ARoS’ reputation globally as artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive.”

Rebecca Matthews has taken up post from January 1, 2022.

ARoS is currently showing until March 2022 J.M.W. Turner—Sun is God in collaboration with Tate. The museum is heading into an exciting future with its significant new extension, comprising a one thousand square metre subterranean gallery space and the extraordinary and major new work by James Turrell, The Dome, scheduled to open in 2025.  

For further information contact Press and Communications:
Anne Riis: ari [​at​] aros.dk / T +45 2888 4464
Jens Henrik Daugaard: jehd [​at​] aros.dk / T +45 2888 4467