Yasmil Raymond Leaving StÄdelschule and Portikus

Yasmil Raymond is set to exit as rector of the Städelschule Academy of Fine Art and as director of Portikus at the end of July. Succeeding Philippe Pirotte in the dual roles, the American-born Raymondarrivedto the Frankfurt school and exhibition space in March 2020, just as Covid-19 was spreading around the world. She was the first female and the first non-European person to occupy the positions.

“Yasmil Raymond came to the institution with a keen sense of its great potential,” said university council chair Ina Hartwig in a statement. “She swiftly managed the transition to the state of Hesse and helped steer the institution during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, she focused on diversifying the exhibitions at Portikus and expanding the curriculum and programs at the Städelschule to provide young artists with in-depth learning experiences. We are deeply grateful to Yasmil for her inspiring leadership and commitment to art and artists.”

Raymond is credited with devising and implementing the first long-term plan for Städelschule; connecting with artists, architects, and curators across South America, the Antilles, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia; incorporating topics such as ecology and sustainability into the curriculum; increasing the number of female visiting professors and staff; and leading the effort to digitalize Städelschule’s archival holdings dating to between 1920 and 1950. At Portikus, she laid out a strategic fundraising plan and helmed the exhibition program, notably curating a solo show of works by Jochen Lempert.

Raymond, who previously held curatorial roles at the Museum of Modern Art and Dia Art Foundation, both in New York, has said she plans to return to curating. “I am stepping down at a time when, for the first time, the Städelschule and Portikus are financially stable and have a solid team and exceptional staff,” Raymond said in a statement. “I am confident that the new Rector will build on the strong commitment to equality, equity and the spirit of collaboration that has characterized my tenure.”