Curriculum vitae Martin Heller (english)
Born in 1952 near Basel, Martin Heller obtainted a teacher’s certificate in art education at the Schule für Gestaltung Basel (1972-76), and proceeded to study art history and social anthropology at Basel University (1978-85, lic. phil.I 1985). Between 1978 and 1986, he worked as an art critic, consultant, essayist and freelance exhibition curator.
From 1986 to 1999, Heller served as director of the Zurich Design Museum (Museum für Gestaltung Zürich). At the same time, he was involved in various publications, juries and teaching assignments relating to photography, design, quotidian culture as well as curatorship and museology both in Switzerland and abroad (Hannover, Hamburg, Bonn, Vienna, Paris, Montreal, Chicago, New York, among others).
From 1999 to 2003, Martin Heller has served as creative director of the successful Swiss national exhibition Expo.02, an event with more than 40 exhibitions and a rich program in music, theatre and popular culture.
In 2003 he founded Heller Enterprises and works now as an independent exhibition curator, author and cultural entrepreneur for several projects in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In 2003 he was appointed creative director for Bremen’s application as Cultural Capital of Europe 2010. Since 2005 he is artistic director for Linz Cultural Capital of Europe 2009. Further¬more, Heller is a member of the Board of Directors of Vitra Holding Ltd.
CV Martin Heller (PDF)