EP18: Aric Chen on Shaping Cultural Narratives, the Power of Observation, and Leading with Perspective

Aric Chen is a curator, writer, and cultural strategist shaping the future of design, architecture, and creative institutions. As General & Artistic Director of The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, Aric has led some of the most forward-thinking conversations around architecture, digital culture, and societal transformation. Before this, he was a curator at M+ in Hong Kong, creative director of Beijing Design Week, and curatorial director at Design Miami.

In this episode, Aric reflects on his unconventional career path—from architecture to anthropology to curatorial leadership—where intuition and curiosity shaped his decisions more than rigid plans. He discusses the importance of seeing beyond binaries, how his background in anthropology informs his work today, and why he resists the pressure to define himself within a single discipline.

We also discuss the challenges of managing creative institutions, the tension between public perception and reality, and how he balances long-term vision with the fast-paced world of cultural production. Aric’s approach to leadership is as nuanced as his curatorial philosophy—he shares how staying calm, observant, and adaptable has allowed him to navigate everything from international design biennales to institutional transformations.

This episode is for those who think beyond labels, embrace complexity, and want to challenge the way we engage with culture today.