Senka Ibrisimbegović

Biography

Senka Ibrisimbegovic is an architect, researcher, and associate professor at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sarajevo. Her work explores the intersection of architecture, urban regeneration, contemporary art, and cultural institutions in post-conflict and transitional societies. She focuses on how public space, cultural infrastructure, and participatory planning can foster inclusive, resilient cities.

She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Sarajevo in 2003, earned a master’s degree in Italy (Impresa, cultura, arte – Distretti culturali) in collaboration with the universities of Siena, Milan, Venice, and Rome, and completed her Ph.D. in 2015 with the dissertation The Architecture of Contemporary Art Museums as a Time Capsule, advocating for the need for a contemporary art museum in Sarajevo. Her academic formation includes international experiences at MIT, TU Wien, Université Paris 8, Yildiz Technical University, and the University of Limerick.

Since 2004, she has been working with the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art Sarajevo, initially collaborating with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop on its architectural design. Appointed director in 2018, she revitalized the project, securing a building permit and leading a successful EU IPA fundraising effort, supported by the Italian Government, Canton Sarajevo, and the City of Sarajevo. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 under UNESCO patronage, with her as lead coordinator.

Her curatorial architectural work for exhibition setup and production management includes major exhibitions with artists such as Jannis Kounellis, Dean Jokanović Toumin, and Braco Dimitrijević, and roles at the Venice Biennale (2009, 2019, 2024), including projects with Ilya Kabakov, Šejla Kamerić, and participation in Kosuth’s 80th birthday celebration in 2025. She promotes the museum site as a future cultural district and integrates her research into academic teaching. In 2025, she was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy – Cavaliere by the President of the Italian Republic for her contribution to cultural cooperation.

Senka Ibrisimbegović, Director, Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art Sarajevo (Public Institution City Museums of Sarajevo); Associate Professor, University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Architecture, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been awarded by The Getty Foundation.