Kieran Long is a British journalist, curator and museum director specializing in architecture and design. Long has been a presenter in a number of television shows. Since 2017, he is the director of ArkDes, the Swedish Center for Architecture and Design. In February 2024 he will become the director of Finnish art museum Amos Rex.[1]
Long graduated from Cardiff University in 1998 with a degree in English literature.
Long has undertaken a number of journalism roles, including deputy editor of Icon magazine 2003–2006 and editor in chief of the Architects' Journal and the Architectural Review 2007–2009.[2] Long was also the architecture critic for the London Evening Standard newspaper 2010–2014.[3] His television work includes presenting 'Restoration Home' and 'The House That £100k Built' for the BBC.[4]
Long was assistant director to David Chipperfield at the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture. He was senior curator at the department of design, architecture and digital at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) 2013–2014 and was the keeper of the department from 2014 to April 2017.[5]
, Long is the Director of ArkDes, The (state-run) Swedish Center for Architecture and Design, in Stockholm.[6] [7] Long was credited with developing an ambitious exhibition programme and taking ArkDes to the Venice Biennale. Some former employees have questioned the reorganisation of ArkDes.
Long co-authored a book about the architect Sigurd Lewerentz, with the title "Sigurd Lewerentz Architect of Death and Life". The book takes its starting point from the ArkDes collection and the results of the main authors Johan Örn and Mikael Andersson's many years of research.[8]
He is married to Swedish designer Sofia Lagerkvist.[9]
In 2021, Long was named as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst[10]