Media release

ZEITZ MOCAA ANNOUNCES 2026 GALA IN HONOUR OF KOYO KOUOH A CELEBRATION OF CONTEMPORARY ART, CULTURE, AND PHILANTHROPY

• Zeitz MOCAA’s annual fundraiser is crucial in advancing the institution’s mission
• Tribute to the late Koyo Kouoh, Zeitz MOCAA’s beloved Executive Director and Chief Curator
• Proceeds from the Gala directly benefit the museum’s curatorial and education programming

(Cape Town, Tuesday, 5 August 2025): Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is honoured to announce its Annual Gala, to be held on Friday, 20 February 2026. This Gala holds profound significance as it will be the first since the passing of our beloved Executive Director and Chief Curator, Koyo Kouoh.

An iconic figure in the global arts landscape, Koyo was known for her bold curatorial vision, unapologetic advocacy for African and diasporic artists, and her unwavering belief in the power of culture to transform society. During her tenure, she redefined the role of the museum on the continent and beyond—positioning Zeitz MOCAA as a critical platform for dialogue, learning, and artistic excellence. The Gala, the museum’s most important gathering, will carry forward Koyo’s legacy of artistic celebration this year. 

Koyo’s curatorial career spanned decades, from founding RAW Material Company in Dakar, Senegal, to her historic appointment as Curator of the 61st International Art Exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale, titled In Minor Keys (9 May – 22 November 2026). Her voice reshaped conversations around equity, restitution, and representation in the arts, establishing her as one of the most influential cultural leaders of her generation.

David Green, Co-founder and Co-chair of Zeitz MOCAA shares: ‘This Gala is an important moment for Zeitz MOCAA—not just to celebrate contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, but to reflect on where we’ve come from and where we’re going. Koyo’s legacy is deeply embedded in the fabric of this institution. Her leadership challenged us to think differently, act boldly, and build with care. As we honour her memory, we recommit to the values she stood for: cultural agency, radical care, and excellence without compromise.’

Jochen Zeitz, Co-founder and Co-chair of Zeitz MOCAA reflects: ‘Koyo brought a rare vision and integrity to everything she did. Her impact on Zeitz MOCAA was deep and lasting, and her voice will continue to echo in how the museum thinks, curates, and leads. The upcoming Gala is not just a tribute to her—it’s a commitment to the future she believed in: one where African and diasporic artists are given the space, support, and respect they deserve.’

Fawaz Mustapha, Acting Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer of Zeitz MOCAA adds: ‘As a relatively young institution, we approach this significant moment for the museum with a focus on strengthening our foundation, deepening collaboration, and supporting the artists and communities who shape our mission. We look ahead with a renewed sense of responsibility and a commitment to building on the principles Koyo inspired, ensuring Zeitz MOCAA remains a relevant and responsive institution for years to come.’

The Zeitz MOCAA Gala is the museum’s annual fundraiser, drawing a global, regional and local audience of patrons, philanthropists, practitioners, collectors and cultural luminaries. The Gala is crucial in advancing the institution’s mission to exhibit, collect, preserve and research contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Proceeds from the Gala directly benefit the museum’s curatorial and education programming, enabling the institution to conceive and host international exhibitions; develop supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourage intercultural understanding; and ensure access for all.

A key moment of the Gala is the presentation of the prestigious Zeitz MOCAA Honorary Awards for Artistic Excellence and Philanthropic Achievement to art industry luminaries who have made exceptional contributions to our art ecology and institutional mission, and who have helped shape the landscape of contemporary art in Africa and its diaspora.

Koyo fiercely advocated for artists as thinkers, exhibitions as spaces for dialogue, and the museum as a civic space—an active agent that caters to and nurtures society. Koyo believed in art as a tool for connection, a language for truth, and a pathway toward collective healing—a belief that continues to inspire us to build, to strive, and to dream together. Her vision endures, not only through Zeitz MOCAA, but through those who were moved by her leadership and remain committed to advancing her life's work.

Julie Mehretu, contemporary visual artist, recipient of the 2022 Zeitz MOCAA Honorary Award for Artistic Excellence, and Founding Member of the Zeitz MOCAA Global Council affirms: ‘It is so important that Koyo’s work is both remembered and continued. I joined the Global Council as a Founding Member because I adamantly believed, and still believe, in her immense vision to not only build a preeminent contemporary African and African diasporic museum on the continent, but also to advocate for African artists and their inclusion in all spheres.’ 

The Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026 marks a moment for us to reflect on the milestones that have shaped the institution’s transformative journey thus far. It is also an opportunity to step into the next chapter with intent and determination—to grow and nurture the next generation of thinkers, curators, and artists while advancing inclusive practices that reflect the evolving realities of our continent. We remain committed to fostering a dynamic, accessible and forward-thinking arts ecosystem, guided by a renewed resolve to build a legacy that uplifts the art community across the continent and beyond.

Tickets and sponsorships for the Zeitz MOCAA Gala 2026 are now available. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Zeitz MOCAA Partnerships Manager and director of the annual fundraising Gala, Tiffany Andrews, at tiffany.andrews@zeitzmocaa.museum.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Evaan Jason Ferreira, Communications Specialist, evaanjason.ferreira@zeitzmocaa.museum    
Esther Henderson, Communications Manager, esther.henderson@zeitzmocaa.museum.

Issued by Zeitz MOCAA Communications.

About Zeitz MOCAA

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public not-for-profit institution that collects, preserves, researches and exhibits contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and ensures access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating temporary exhibitions with dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the BMW Centre for Art Education and The Atelier, a museum residency programme for artists living and working in Cape Town.

Zeitz MOCAA, situated at the Silo District, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, is open Monday through Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm (last entry at 5.30 pm). zeitzmocaa.museum   

About the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the United States’ largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. mellon.org

About the BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products. www.bmwgroup.com