The Bass Dialogues: Introducing Phillippe Vergne

Newly appointed Artistic Director and Chief Curator Philippe Vergne discusses his curatorial approach and plans for The Bass in a public conversation at the Miami Beach museum. Presented Thursday, November 19, as part of The Bass Dialogues series, the program pairs Vergne with Associate Curator Jasa McKenzie for a discussion of the museum’s current season and its evolving artistic direction.

Vergne joined The Bass in October 2026 after leading major contemporary art institutions in Europe and the United States. His previous roles include director of the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art in Porto, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and Dia Art Foundation in New York, as well as deputy director and chief curator at the Walker Art Center. He also co-curated the 2006 Whitney Biennial and has organized exhibitions devoted to artists including Kara Walker, Yves Klein and Ai Weiwei.

McKenzie will introduce exhibitions already underway while Vergne reflects on how he plans to build on that foundation through future exhibitions, artist commissions and international partnerships. Admission is complimentary with RSVP, with seating and standing room available on a first-come, first-served basis.