The European House of Photography (MEP) in Paris is down to five final candidates competing to become the institution's new director, following the surprise dismissal of British director Simon Baker in early September. The prestigious photography museum, which attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually, launched a lightning-fast recruitment process to find new leadership. Three women and two men have emerged as the top contenders, with the final decision expected to be announced on Friday, December 12.
The search for a new director began on September 8, when the MEP's board announced the termination of Simon Baker, who had led the institution since 2018. Baker, a British curator who came from London's Tate Modern, had replaced Jean-Luc Monterosso, one of the MEP's co-founders. The sudden nature of Baker's dismissal caught many in the art world by surprise, prompting immediate action from the museum's leadership.
Within just one day of announcing Baker's departure, the MEP launched an accelerated recruitment process designed to quickly identify a successor. The call for applications gave interested candidates only two weeks to develop and submit their comprehensive proposals. Applicants were required to present detailed artistic, cultural, and strategic visions for the MEP's future direction.
The tight timeline reflected the institution's urgency to establish stable leadership ahead of a significant milestone. Candidates were specifically asked to incorporate plans for celebrating the MEP's upcoming 30th anniversary into their proposals, making this transition period particularly crucial for the museum's future programming and development.
The European House of Photography, located in Paris's historic Marais district, has established itself as one of Europe's premier institutions dedicated to contemporary photography. Since its founding, the MEP has played a vital role in promoting photographic arts and supporting both emerging and established photographers from around the world. The selection of its next director will be critical in maintaining this prestigious reputation and continuing its mission of advancing photographic culture in France and beyond.
