Since January 2026, Moderna Museet, ArkDes and the Swedish Arts Council have been merged into a single large authority called Moderna Museet.
"We have made a major merger of operations that requires long-term leadership. An agency head should not serve for more than nine years and I have already served for seven years. The two years I have left are too short a time to lead the new agency," says Gitte Ørskou.
She says it has been a great privilege to lead Moderna Museet and that her successor will take over an organization with great expertise and strong commitment.
Do you have any advice for your successor?
"Listen to the great expertise that exists in the organization!"
But there has also been controversy surrounding Ørskou. Last fall, she was invited on a trip to Qatar by the emir's sister, Princess Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. In February, the museum organization ICOM stated that the invitation violated the organization's ethical rules.
"You have to be scrutinized; it's part of being a manager, and I have learned a lot from the discussions that have taken place," says Gitte Ørskou.
Lars Strannegård, chairman of the board of Moderna Museet, says in a press release that Ørskou "has, with great responsibility and professionalism, laid a strong foundation for the future. I am very happy about our fine collaboration during this period."
Ørskou will leave the post on August 31 of this year.
