New UCCA CEO Kong Lingyi on the Beijing Institution’s Future
In an Artnet Q&A published April 8, 2026, Kong Lingyi outlines her plans as the new CEO of Beijing’s UCCA Center for Contemporary Art following Philip Tinari’s departure shortly before the Lunar New Year. Kong, who joined UCCA in 2012 and most recently served as vice president of brand, said her immediate priorities are stabilizing the team and ensuring the smooth delivery of exhibitions and programs already announced for 2026. She emphasized that UCCA’s mission—bringing “the best in art to a wider audience”—will continue with increased focus on public education and accessibility. The interview also notes UCCA’s multi-site structure, with branches in Beijing, Beidaihe, and Yixing, and frames the leadership change as a significant moment for an institution that has shaped China’s contemporary art landscape for roughly two decades.
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