We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes for success to Ms. Adela Demetja, newly appointed Director of the National Gallery of Arts.

A distinguished curator born in Tirana, Ms. Demetja brings to this role extensive international experience and a clear vision for contemporary art. Her leadership is expected to infuse the institution with new energy and to foster a stronger network of international collaborations.

She holds a Master’s degree in “Curatorial Studies and Art Criticism” from Städelschule and Goethe University in Frankfurt, and has completed advanced programs in European Art Management and Leadership Development. Since 2010, she has been the founder and director of Tirana Art Lab – Center for Contemporary Art, a key platform for contemporary art in Albania and the region.

Her curatorial projects have involved collaborations with renowned institutions such as the National Gallery of Kosovo, Maxim Gorki Theater in Berlin, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (USA), D-0 Ark Underground Biennale in Konjic, Lothringer 13 Kunsthalle in Munich, Villa Romana in Florence, and Haus am Lützowplatz in Berlin.

In 2022, she curated the Albanian Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale, featuring the work of artist Lume Blloshmi.

The National Gallery of Arts is soon to transition into the National Museum of Fine Arts — a modern institution that will reflect with dignity the heritage, creativity, and contemporary vision of Albanian visual arts.

Ms. Demetja also becomes the first woman to lead the institution in its history — a significant milestone for gender-equal representation in cultural leadership, and a strong signal for integrating voices from the independent art scene into Albania’s institutional art narrative.