Prix Meurice for Contemporary Art 2011/2012

Marc-Olivier Wahler

Director of the Palais de Tokyo

After studying art history and philosophy at the Universities of Neuchâtel and Lausanne, Marc-Olivier Wahler taught art history and English literature at Lycée Blaise Cendrars in Neuchâtel. In 1993 he was appointed conservator at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lausanne, following which he joined the MAMCO in Geneva, where he helped roll out the project and determine how the collections would be shown.
In 1995, Marc-Olivier Wahler co-founded the Centre d'Art Neuchâtel (CAN). He was the centre's Artistic Director for six years, during which he developed a strong international programme. He went on to direct the Swiss Institute independent contemporary art centre in New York (2000-2006) before being appointed director of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, in February 2006.