The Ministry of Culture of Sweden appointed Kieran Long as the new director of ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design. Mr Long will take up his position on 18 April 2017. 

Kieran Long has extensive experience in the field of architecture and design, museums and exhibitions. Since 2013 he has been Keeper of the Department Design, Architecture and Digital at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and has previously worked at the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Royal College of Art. Mr Long has also worked as an architecture critic for several publications and has been a television presenter for the BBC since 2009.

''Kieran Long is an internationally renowned leader in the field of architecture and design. The fact that he wants to lead ArkDes is a recognition of both this national centre and Sweden's strong position in the sector. This is a very good start to a year that will continue to strengthen the role of culture in building our society,'' says Minister for Culture and Democracy Ms Bah Kuhnke.

''I am so excited to have the opportunity to direct the National Centre for Architecture and Design and I believe it can build on its strengths to become one of the most important places in Europe for the discussion of the relationship between design and public life.''

''Its collection, its spaces and its national role in leading the debate about architecture and design provide a unique opportunity. I hope I can bring an international perspective to the Swedish debate and help ArkDes continue to be an exciting visitor experience, a place of research and study and a place of debate about how we will live in the future," says Mr Long.

Top image: Kieran Long/Twitter

> via Government Offices of Sweden