Tim Griffin

Biography

Tim Griffin is artistic and executive director of The Industry, having joined the organization in June, 2023, and continuing his involvement with organizations committed to reimagining art’s relationship with its publics.

Previously, Griffin was executive director and chief curator at The Kitchen (2011–2021), where he developed projects across disciplines with artists such as Chantal Akerman, ANOHNI, Charles Atlas, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Joan Jonas, Ralph Lemon, Aki Sasamoto, Wadada Leo Smith, Tyshawn Sorey, and Danh Vo, among others. In addition, he partnered on crucial presentations of historical work by artist Gretchen Bender and composer Julius Eastman. Griffin also created The Kitchen L.A.B. public dialogue series, and the electronic music series “Synth Nights,” collaborating with artists like Laurie Anderson, Laurel Halo, and Musica Elettronica Viva. On the occasion of The Kitchen’s 50th anniversary, Griffin initiated a capital campaign to renovate its building as a platform for the next generation of artists, raising roughly $22 million.

From 2003 to 2010, Griffin was editor of Artforum, organizing special issues on performance; the museum in a contemporary context; art and poetry; and art and commerce. His own writing has appeared in publications from Bomb to Vogue, including catalogue essays on choreographer Maria Hassabi (MoMA, 2016), artist Ralph Lemon (Guggenheim Museum, 2016), and John Baldessari (Tate Modern, 2009). Griffin also edited a volume of selected writings on Wade Guyton (JRP), and has a forthcoming book on artists’ changing engagement with site-specificity (Sternberg Press). In 2015, he was awarded the insignia of chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.