Art Basel announces Karim Crippa as director of Art Basel Paris
Art Basel is delighted to announce that Karim Crippa is appointed as director of Art Basel Paris. Taking up the role from November 1, 2025, Crippa will lead the Paris show into its next chapter, working closely with participating galleries, collectors, our partners, and the city of Paris to consolidate its position as one of Europe’s most dynamic platforms for modern and contemporary art.
Crippa, currently Head of Communications for Art Basel Paris and Senior Editor at Art Basel globally, will work alongside the fair’s General Manager Virginie Aubert and Deputy Director Maxime Hourdequin to steer the artistic and strategic direction of Art Basel Paris, shape its programming, and further its collaboration with the city’s institutions and wider cultural ecosystem. He will report into Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director Art Basel Fairs Vincenzo de Bellis.
Born in Zurich in 1991 and raised in Lausanne, Crippa has built a career at the intersection of communications, content production, digital culture, and the visual arts. Before joining Art Basel in 2018, he held roles across the sector at Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (Vienna), Haus der Kunst (Munich), and Duve (Berlin), and collaborated on major exhibitions with artists such as Ragnar Kjartansson, Cerith Wyn Evans, Sharon Lockhart, and Thomas Struth.
Since joining Art Basel, Crippa has played a central role in shaping the organization's voice and digital presence globally, and since 2022 has been a driving force in establishing the Paris show’s distinctive identity and communications approach.
Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel: 'Karim has been part of Art Basel for more than seven years and has played a pivotal role in shaping how we communicate and connect with our audiences across our global platform. His passion for and knowledge of both the local and international art scenes as well as the distinct role that galleries play in shaping this, and his integrity as an esteemed colleague and collaborator make him exceptionally well suited to lead our Paris fair into its next phase. This appointment reflects our belief in cultivating talent from within and empowering team members who have grown alongside the evolution of Art Basel itself. I’m hugely excited to see the impact he has in this new role.'
Vincenzo de Bellis, Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director Art Basel Fairs: 'Karim combines a curator’s eye, a communicator’s precision, and a profound understanding of what makes Paris such a vital city for contemporary art. Over the past three years, he has been instrumental in articulating the fair’s identity and building trusted relationships across our ecosystem of galleries, institutions, and partners. His appointment is a testament to the strength of our team, and I’m delighted to see him step into this leadership role and to support him and the whole Paris team as they shape the future of this fantastic show.'
Karim Crippa said: 'Being appointed Director of Art Basel Paris is a great honor and responsibility, and I am immensely grateful to Noah Horowitz and Vincenzo de Bellis for their trust. I will do everything in my power to help advance this exceptional show and to remain a tireless advocate for the city of Paris, our exhibitors, partners and Art Basel’s global mission. Working alongside gallerists, artists, writers, institutional representatives, collectors and creatives for the last 15 years has only ever strengthened my commitment to the worlds of art and culture. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Clément Delépine for his remarkable contribution to Art Basel, his guidance over the years, and his precious friendship. I look forward to working with our outstanding team to further establish Art Basel Paris as a truly exceptional and unmissable cultural beacon.'
Read the full press release here.