MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Ayala Foundation today announced Reuben Keehan as incoming Artistic Director of Kontempo, the forthcoming center for contemporary art in Circuit Makati. Keehan’s appointment will take effect following the completion of standard clearance and compliance procedures.
This marks a significant milestone in the Foundation’s long-term commitment to arts and culture as a pillar of national development, and its ambition to establish Kontempo as a new platform for contemporary artistic practice, dialogue, and public engagement in the Philippines, with resonance across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Foundation, said “Following a global search, we are delighted to welcome Reuben to define and develop the institution and its program. His selection reflects our ambition to build an institution that is rooted in the Philippines, attentive to its communities, and in active dialogue with the international art world. We envision Kontempo as a space that fosters curiosity and creativity, where people of all ages can engage with contemporary culture through a rich, multidisciplinary range of artistic expression.”
Reuben Keehan will relocate later this year to the Philippines from Australia, where he served as Curator of Contemporary Asian Art at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) since 2011. Over more than a decade, he played a central role in shaping the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) from its seventh edition onwards, working closely with artists, curators, and institutions across Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines. His curatorial practice is distinguished by long-term collaboration, regional exchange, and sustained engagement with artistic communities.
Commenting on his selection, Reuben Keehan said: “I am deeply honored to take on the role of Artistic Director. The Philippines has long been a vital and dynamic force within contemporary art and culture in the region, and the idea of Kontempo as a connective hub that brings artists and audiences together, encourages dialogue across disciplines, and links the Philippines with the wider world is what drew me to this project. I am excited to work with communities, stakeholders, and future partners in the Philippines and beyond to shape an institution that is responsive, open, and meaningfully engaged with its context.”
“For more than six decades, Ayala Foundation has run programs and institutions that advance arts and culture, youth leadership, and community development, anchored in our commitment to building thriving Filipino communities. Kontempo builds on this by expanding access to contemporary art and providing a space that is welcoming and inclusive. We are confident that Reuben will lead the center in ways that are deeply connected to the communities it serves and curate programs that will foster meaningful dialogue,” added Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation.
Kontempo – Center for Contemporary Art, Philippines derives its name from “contemporary,” expressed through Filipino orthographic usage. The institution will present exhibitions, commissions, research, education, and community-facing programs, and will form part of a broader creative campus connected to everyday urban life. Situated along the Pasig River, historically a vital commercial artery and central to the life of Manila, the site aligns with the Philippine government’s revitalization of the 25-kilometre Pasig River Esplanade.
Designed by Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture, in collaboration with leading Philippine firm Lor Calma & Partners, headed by Ed Calma, the project brings together international museum expertise and a deep-rooted understanding of Filipino design heritage, drawing inspiration from nature, local craft, and cultural context.
The center forms part of the Circuit Makati estate, developed on the former Santa Ana Race Track, a popular venue for horse racing from 1937 until its relocation in 2009. Today, the area is evolving into a destination for culture, creativity, and community engagement, anchored by a 1,500-seat performing arts theatre and a growing cluster of multi-purpose venues. Located within a 2.5-hectare site, Kontempo will contribute to the wider retail, entertainment, commercial, and residential activity of the Circuit Makati Cultural District.
The center will comprise three major gallery spaces totaling approximately 2,500 square meters, alongside 15,000 square meters of open green space designed for art installations, gardens, and public use, integrating indoor and outdoor experiences across the district.
Operating under the auspices of Ayala Foundation, Kontempo builds on the Foundation’s long-standing stewardship of cultural institutions, including the Ayala Museum, which for more than five decades has served as a public institution dedicated to Philippine history, art, and heritage.
Additional details regarding construction milestones, exhibitions, and partnerships will be released in due course.
