Berndt Arell, 51, has been invited to be the Director and General Director (överintendent) of both the National Museum and Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde in Stockholm. His five-year term begins in January 2012.

Since April 2010, Arell has been Director of the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, one of the richest and most prestigious cultural players in the country. During the last ten years he has also worked as Director of Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki (2007–2010), Helsinki City Art Museum (2001–2006), and the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn (1999–2001), aside from holding chair or member positions on the boards of several cultural organisations.

«Berndt Arell’s past experience and competence fit perfectly to the major changes the Nationalmuseum will be facing», says Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, the Swedish Minister of Culture in the press release.