The Ayala Foundation has announced the development of the Kontempo Center for Contemporary Art in Manila, appointing Reuben Keehan as its inaugural artistic director. Designed by architect Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture in collaboration with Lor Calma & Partners, the center will be located on the site of a former racetrack in Circuit Makati. The facility will prioritize exhibitions, commissions, and public programming over a permanent collection, featuring three large galleries and extensive green space for public art installations.
The project represents a significant private investment in the Philippines' cultural infrastructure, aiming to create a "porous" institution that breaks down barriers between the art world and the public. By focusing on tropical architecture and communal gathering traditions, Kontempo seeks to establish a locally-rooted yet globally relevant platform for contemporary art. Keehan’s appointment, following his long tenure at QAGOMA, signals an ambition to integrate the Manila art scene more deeply into the broader Asia-Pacific regional dialogue.