Wilfredo Benítez Muñoz, Executive Director,  Fundación Ludwig Gallery, Cuba

The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (LFC) is an autonomous, non-governmental and non profit institution in Cuba created to protect and promote contemporary Cuba artists and culture, develop research works and new technologies applied to the artistic world, and encourage dialogue with both Cuban and international cultural communities. The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, located in Havana, acts as a cultural center to encourage the creation of bridges of understanding in Cuba and abroad.

The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba has established long-term programs with leading institutions worldwide. Programs include performances, festivals, exhibitions, exchanges, lectures, seminars, academic courses, workshops, conferences, scholarships and grants. The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba was founded in 1995 by Peter and Irene Ludwig,  world-known private European collectors and is funded yearly by the Peter and Irene Ludwig Foundation located in Aachen, Germany.

After concluding his studies on Economic Sciences at the University of Havana in 1985, Wilfredo Benitez started his professional life at the Cuban Institute of Economic Research (Ministry of Economic Planning).

In 1989, he moved to the National Council of Visual Arts (Ministry of Culture), acting in the area of administration, management, as well as Public and Foreign Relations. In 1994 he teamed up to conceive and structure the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, which was established in Havana in 1995.  Since then he acts as its Executive Director.

In his current position he has conceived, structured and directed or participated in various programs and projects of the institution including visual arts, independent cinema and cultural studies, as well as academic exchange programs with Universities in Cuba, Europe and the USA (i.e. Tisch School of the Arts, NYU and Rhode Island School of Design). The management issues of the Foundation:  legal, administration, labor and accounting are directly under his supervision.  He has an important role in the foundation’s Foreign Affairs and Public Relations policies.

He is fluent in English language, also understands French and German.

The Fundación Ludwig Gallery has as a budding relationship with the University of Alaska.

He’ll have a slide talk, followed by a conversation about this center for contemporary art in Cuba.