Kieran Long

{{Infobox person | name = Kieran Long | image = Kieran Long.jpg | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|08|19}} | citizenship = British, Swedish | education = Cardiff University (BA) | title = Journalist, curator and museum director }}

'''Kieran Long''' (born 19 August 1977) is a British journalist, curator and museum director specializing in architecture and design. He is the director and CEO of [[Amos Rex]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Amos Rex |url=https://amosrex.fi/en/about-us/about-amos-rex/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Amos Rex |language=en-US}}</ref> a contemporary art museum in Helsinki, Finland. Previously, he served as director of [[Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design|ArkDes]], Sweden’s national museum of architecture and design (2017–2024), and as the Keeper of Design, Architecture, and Digital at the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] (2012–2017).

Long has worked as a journalist and critic, mostly in architecture and design, including as editor-in-chief of [[Architects' Journal|Architects’ Journal]] and [[The Architectural Review]], and as an architecture critic for [[Evening Standard|The Evening Standard]]. He has also presented BBC television programmes such as [[Restoration Home (TV series)|Restoration Home]] and [[The House That £100k Built|The House That £100K Built]]. In addition to his curatorial and media work, he has lectured at institutions including the [[Royal College of Art]] and [[London Metropolitan University]]. His book Sigurd Lewerentz, Architect of Death and Life (2021) examines the work of the influential Swedish architect.

== Early life and education == Long was born on 19 August 1977. He studied English literature at [[Cardiff University]], where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998. He is a fluent Swedish speaker.

== Career ==

=== Journalism and publishing === He began his career at Building Design, where he worked from 1998 to 2001. He then joined World Architecture Magazine (2001–2003) before serving as deputy editor of Icon Magazine (2003–2007). From 2007 to 2010, he was editor-in-chief of Architects’ Journal and The Architectural Review.<ref>{{cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Agnus |date=8 November 2012 |title=Kieran Long appointed design and architecture curator at the V&A |url=http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/kieran-long-appointed-design-and-architecture-curator-at-the-va/3035553.article |accessdate=11 November 2014 |work=[[Design Week]]}}</ref> From January 2010 to June 2013, he worked as an architecture critic for the [[Evening Standard|London Evening Standard]].<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/a-home-to-diy-for-8808562.html A home to DIY for – London Life – Life & Style – London Evening Standard]</ref>

=== Television and media === Long has worked as a television presenter for the BBC. He was a presenter on Restoration Home<ref>[https://archive.today/20131014053643/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l3bhv/profiles/kieran-long BBC Two – Restoration Home – Kieran Long]</ref> (2009–2017) and The House That £100K Built (2009–2017) for the [[BBC]], both of which focused on architecture and home renovation.

=== Museum leadership and curatorial work === Long has held teaching positions at several institutions. From 2011 to 2012, he was a tutor in design products at the Royal College of Art. Prior to that, he was a tutor and head of public programmes at London Metropolitan University from 2001 to 2011. He has also taught at [[Kingston University]], the [[University of Greenwich]], and the [[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]] (EPFL).

In 2023, Long served as a commissioner representing Sweden in the Nordic Pavilion’s contribution to the [[Venice Biennale of Architecture]], alongside representatives from Norway and Finland.<ref>https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2023/nordic-countries-sweden-norway-finland</ref> From December 2011 to September 2012, he was assistant director of the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture under artistic director [[David Chipperfield]]. He led the curatorial team in delivering 73 exhibitions and installations, as well as four publications.

From September 2012 to April 2017, Long was Keeper of the Design, Architecture and Digital Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. <ref>{{cite web |date=8 November 2012 |title=Kieran Long appointed senior curator of architecture, design and digital at V&A |url=http://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/08/kieran-long-appointed-curator-at-va/ |accessdate=11 November 2014 |website=Dezeen}}</ref>

Long served as Director of ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design, from 2017 to 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bresciani |first=Claudio |date=10 February 2017 |title=Kieran Long blir ny chef för Arkdes |url=https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/kieran-long-blir-ny-chef-for-arkdes/ |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 February 2017 |title=Press release från the Ministry of Culture in Sweden |url=http://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2017/02/kieran-long-ny-overintendent-pa-arkdes/ |publisher=[[Government of Sweden]]}}</ref> Based in [[Stockholm]], ArkDes is the national museum of architecture and design, a state authority, and a research institution focused on design, the built environment, and the role of architecture in society. Under Long's leadership at ArkDes, the institution participated in the 16th International Architecture Exhibition in 2018, presenting aspects of Sigurd Lewerentz's work.<ref>https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2018/partecipants/kieran-long-johan-%C3%B6rn-james-taylor-foster-arkdes-petra-gipp-mikael-olsson</ref>

In 2024, he was appointed director and CEO of Amos Rex in Helsinki.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press |url=https://amosrex.fi/en/press/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Amos Rex |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Board memberships and advisory roles === Long has served as a board member and non-executive director of the [[V&A Dundee]] since 2022 and is also on the advisory board of the New Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advisory Group for the New Museum of Architecture & Design |url=https://www.admuseo.fi/eng-articles/advisory-group-for-the-new-museum-of-architecture-design |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.admuseo.fi}}</ref>

Previously, he was an advisory board member to the [[Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art]].

=== Teaching and public speaking events === Long has held teaching positions at the Royal College of Art in London, Kingston University, Greenwich University, London Metropolitan University, and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He has also lectured widely at universities and institutions around the world, including [[Yale University]], [[Columbia University]], the [[University of California]], Berkeley, [[Technische Universität Berlin]], the [[Free University of Berlin]], [[KTH Royal Institute of Technology]], [[Chalmers University of Technology]], the [[University of Helsinki]], [[Aalto University]], and the [[Canadian Centre for Architecture]] (CCA).

In addition, he has given public talks at major cultural events and venues such as the [[Chicago Architecture Biennial]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Architectural Record February 2020: A Cultural Institution Analyzes Its Goals |url=https://digital.bnpmedia.comhttps//digital.bnpmedia.com/article/A+Cultural+Institution+Analyzes+Its+Goals/3584831/647322/article.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=digital.bnpmedia.comhttps |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Paris Photo]], and [[M+]] and the Museum Summit 2023, both in Hong Kong. Recent lectures have included presentations on the work of [[Sigurd Lewerentz]] at Yale, Columbia, and the CCA.

=== Writing and publications === Long has written extensively about architecture and design. His book Sigurd Lewerentz, Architect of Death and Life (2021)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sigurd Lewerentz: Architect of Death and Life - bookm-ark.fi |url=https://www.bookm-ark.fi/product/sigurd-lewerentz-architect-of-death-and-life/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |language=en-GB}}</ref> explores the career and legacy of Swedish architect Sigurd Lewerentz. The book takes its starting point from the ArkDes collection and the results of the authors Johan Örn and Mikael Andersson's many years of research.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lewerentz |first1=Sigurd |title=Sigurd Lewerentz: architect of death and life |last2=Long |first2=Kieran |last3=Örn |first3=Johan |last4=Andersson |first4=Mikael |last5=Peterson |first5=Anna |last6=Arkitektur- och designcentrum |date=2021 |publisher=Park Books |isbn=978-3-03860-232-3 |language=English |oclc=1227917878}}</ref>

==== Other publications include ==== New London Interiors (2004)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Long |first=Kieran |url=http://archive.org/details/newlondoninterio0000long |title=New London interiors |date=2004 |publisher=London : Merrell |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85894-237-7}}</ref>

Hatch: The New Architectural Generation (2008)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Long |first=Kieran |url=http://archive.org/details/hatchnewarchitec0000long |title=Hatch : the new architectural generation |date=2008 |publisher=London : Laurence King |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-85669-562-6}}</ref>

Is This What You Mean By Localism? (2012)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is this what you mean by Localism? |url=https://www.objectif.co.uk/en/studio/localism/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=objectif}}</ref>

95 Theses for Museum Curation (Dezeen, 2012)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-12 |title=Opinion: Kieran Long on 95 Theses for contemporary museum curation |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/12/opinion-kieran-long-on-contemporary-museum-curation/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref>

Common Ground: A Critical Reader (2012, co-edited with David Chipperfield and Shumi Bose)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Common Ground: a critical reader |url=https://davidchipperfield.com/publications/common-ground-a-critical-reader |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=davidchipperfield.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

There is Simply Too Much To Think About: Searching for Something Like a Culture in Ryan Gander’s Fieldwork in Fieldwork: An Incomplete Reader, Ryan Gander (2015)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fieldwork, The Complete Reader - 30,00€ - |url=https://actar.com/product/fieldwork-the-complete-reader/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Actar Publishers |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Future Starts Here, V&A Publishing (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Future Starts Here: Exhibition Book {{!}} V&A Books {{!}} V&A Shop |url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/shop/books/exhibition-books/the-future-starts-here---official-exhibition-book-paperback-154172.html |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=www.vam.ac.uk}}</ref>

=== Selected exhibitions curated === ''All of this Belongs to You, Victoria & Albert Museum, 2015''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volsing |first=Kristian |date=2015-05-21 |title=City as Host: Liza Fior and Kieran Long • V&A Blog |url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/design-and-society/10-april-2015-city-as-host-liza-fior-and-kieran-long |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=V&A Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

''The Future Starts Here, Victoria & Albert Museum, 2018''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Future Starts Here - Exhibition · V&A |url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/the-future-starts-here |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Victoria and Albert Museum |language=en}}</ref>

''Public Luxury, ArkDes, 2018''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-06 |title=Public Luxury: Architecture, Design and the Struggle for the Commons |url=https://arkdes.se/en/exhibitions/public-luxury-architecture-design-and-the-struggle-for-the-commons/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=ArkDes |language=en}}</ref>

''Sigurd Lewerentz, Architect of Death and Life, ArkDes, 2021–22''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-10 |title=Sigurd Lewerentz: Architect of Death and Life |url=https://arkdes.se/en/exhibitions/sigurd-lewerentz-architect-of-death-and-life/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=ArkDes |language=en}}</ref>

=== Awards and recognitions === Long was named IBP Architecture critic of the year in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Two - Restoration Home - Kieran Long |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1jZhB7Bs5hjrgRcvwlkPTcN/kieran-long |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2021, Long was named as a [https://www.bloombergneweconomy.com/catalysts/ Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst]{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst List |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2021-new-economy-catalyst-list/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life == Long is married to Sofia Lagerkvist, a designer and member of the Swedish design group Front. They have one son.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Kieran Long |title="There is without doubt institutional prejudice in the furniture industry" |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2014/04/10/kieran-long-opinion-women-furniture-industry-milan/ |date=2014-04-10 |access-date=2023-06-21 |work=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref>

== Controversies == Kieran Long was appointed director of the [[Amos Rex|Amos Rex art museum]] in November 2023, and his arrival in Finland sparked controversy. The Swedish press had earlier reported dissatisfaction among subordinates with Long's leadership style, which employees described as "sociopathically controlling" and "mean." According to a group of employees interviewed by ''Form-design magazine'' in 2019, Long's leadership style was strict and made the work atmosphere difficult. An Amos Rex employee interviewed by [[Helsingin Sanomat|''Helsingin Sanomat'']] described that the work atmosphere at the museum has significantly deteriorated during Long's tenure.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Museot {{!}} Amos Rexin työntekijä: Museossa vallitsee pelon ilmapiiri (An atmosphere of fear in the museum) |url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000011536550.html |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=Helsingin Sanomat |language=fi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Museo, jonka henkilökunta katosi – kiistelty johtaja uudistaa helsinkiläistä Amos Rex taidemuseota räväköin keinoin (The museum whose staff disappeared) |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20186546 |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref>

Long's leadership at Amos Rex has had visible consequences: the museum has lost several competent employees, whose positions have not been replaced with equivalent staff. In connection with severance packages, employees have often had to sign confidentiality agreements. This has led to distrust towards the director and a poor work atmosphere, described within the museum field as harsh and capricious leadership. The daily operations of the museum have reportedly become more difficult due to staff shortages, and new employees are being sought also from abroad. Changes in the museum's staff have occurred without transparency, without proper negotiations or support for those who resigned.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Long, Kieran}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:British curators]] [[Category:British magazine editors]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Academics of Kingston University]] [[Category:Academics of London Metropolitan University]] [[Category:Academics of the Royal College of Art]] [[Category:Academics of the University of Greenwich]] [[Category:Academic staff of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]] [[Category:Alumni of Cardiff University]]