Art Basel Paris has announced the appointment of Karim Crippa as its new director, effective November 1, 2025. The announcement comes during the successful running of the 2025 edition of Art Basel Paris, one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art fairs. At 34 years old, Crippa will take the helm of the Parisian event, bringing extensive experience in art communication and international exhibition management.
Crippa will work alongside Virginie Aubert, Deputy General Director of MCH France SAS, and Maxime Hourdequin, Deputy Director of Art Basel Paris, to guide the artistic and strategic direction of the fair. His responsibilities will include shaping the fair's programming and deepening its collaboration with the city's institutions as well as its broader cultural ecosystem. He will report directly to Vincenzo de Bellis, Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Art Basel fairs.
Born in Zurich in 1991 and raised in Lausanne, Crippa has built his career at the intersection of communication, content production, digital culture, and visual arts. Before joining Art Basel in 2018, he held various positions in the sector, including roles at Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary in Vienna, Haus der Kunst in Munich, and Duve in Berlin. Throughout his career, he has collaborated on major exhibitions with renowned artists such as Ragnar Kjartansson, Cerith Wyn Evans, Sharon Lockhart, and Thomas Struth.
Since joining Art Basel, Crippa has played a central role in defining the organization's voice and digital presence on a global scale. Currently serving as Director of Communications for Art Basel Paris and Senior Editor for Art Basel globally, he has been instrumental in establishing the fair's unique identity since 2022. His deep understanding of both local and international art scenes, combined with his expertise in digital culture and communication strategies, has made him a key figure in the fair's development.
Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, praised Crippa's appointment, stating: "Karim has been part of Art Basel for more than seven years and has played a decisive role in how we communicate and interact with our audiences across our global platform. His passion and knowledge of both local and international art scenes, as well as his understanding of the essential role galleries play in the cultural ecosystem, make him particularly well-positioned to lead our Parisian fair into its next phase." Horowitz emphasized that Crippa's integrity as a colleague and esteemed collaborator further reinforces this conviction.
Vincenzo de Bellis, Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Art Basel fairs, added his endorsement of the appointment: "Karim combines the eye of a curator, the precision of a communicator, and a deep understanding of what makes Paris such an essential city for contemporary art. Over the past three years, he has been instrumental in formulating the fair's identity and establishing relationships of trust within our ecosystem of galleries, institutions, and partners." De Bellis noted that Crippa's nomination demonstrates the strength of their team and expressed his excitement about supporting Crippa and the entire Parisian team in building the future of this exceptional fair.
Expressing his gratitude and vision for the role, Crippa stated: "Being appointed director of Art Basel Paris is an immense honor and a great responsibility, and I am deeply grateful to Noah Horowitz and Vincenzo de Bellis for their trust. I will do everything possible to advance this exceptional fair and remain a tireless advocate for the City of Paris, our exhibitors, partners, and Art Basel's mission." He emphasized that working alongside gallerists, authors, institutional representatives, collectors, and creatives over the past fifteen years has only strengthened his commitment to the worlds of art and culture.
The appointment reflects Art Basel's commitment to cultivating internal talent and empowering team members who have grown alongside the organization's evolution. Crippa also expressed his profound gratitude to Clément Delépine for his remarkable contribution to Art Basel, his guidance over the years, and his valuable friendship. Looking ahead, Crippa stated his eagerness to collaborate with their exceptional team to further establish Art Basel Paris as an unmissable cultural beacon. Art Basel Paris continues through October 26 at the Grand Palais.
