Meet the Author
Candida Pestana
Candida Pestana is the Head of the Contemporary Art Museum in Alula, working for the Royal Commission of Alula to manage the project and develop the strategy for the museum's implementation and contemporary art collection. Prior to this, she spent over 9 years as the Chief Curator of Contemporary Art at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), developing the institution from its inception and establishing its contemporary and modern art collections. She also played a key role in fostering partnerships and opportunities for artists in the Middle East, including the prestigious Ithra Art Prize. With more than 20 years of experience in museum development and cultural diplomacy, Candida holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland and a BA in Fine Arts Painting from the University of Porto in Portugal and the University of Barcelona in Spain. Candida Pestana is an experienced professional who has worked in various contemporary art institutions across the globe, including Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, South Africa, and the United States. She has also worked for the United Nations Office in Geneva, where she was responsible for organizing and coordinating more than 60 cultural and educational projects and exhibitions each year. Her research has been published in several art catalogs and publications, including Oncurating.org and ICOM Museum International. She is a regular participant and speaker at renowned international conferences and symposiums and is a member of CIMAM.