The Keith Haring Foundation has appointed Simon Castets, a French American curator formerly of Luma Arles and the Swiss Institute, as its next executive director, effective January 12. Castets will oversee the foundation's collection of Haring's work, its archives, and its grant-making program, which disbursed $7.7 million in 2025, including major gifts to the Studio Museum in Harlem and Bard College's Center for Curatorial Studies. Upcoming exhibitions include a Brant Foundation show on Haring's early work and Crystal Bridges Museum's "Keith Haring in 3D."
This appointment matters because Castets takes the helm at a time when Haring's legacy—blending art and activism—is increasingly relevant amid political attacks on LGBTQIA+ communities and cultural institutions. The foundation's dual mission of preserving Haring's artistic output and supporting HIV/AIDS education and youth charities positions it as a key player in both the art world and social advocacy. Castets' experience with international partnerships and institutional growth suggests he will expand the foundation's reach while navigating a challenging cultural landscape.