Karsten Ohrt (1952), has a master’s degree (extended degree) in art history with studies at Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. He became chairman of the New Carlsberg Foundation on 1 January 2014 after seven years as director of the National Gallery of Denmark. In 1994-2007, he was a board member for the New Carlsberg Foundation. Karsten Ohrt is also the chairman of the board of the New Carlsberg Glyptotek.
Karsten Ohrt began his museum career at the Museum of Modern Art Aalborg (now KUNSTEN), where he worked as a curator in 1979-1988. Next, he was appointed director of the art museum Kunsthallen Brandts in Odense (1988-2007). He has held several other board and leadership positions in culture and business, including serving on the boards of Center for Dansk Billedkunst (Centre for Danish Visual Arts), Danish Commission on the Export of Cultural Assets, the theatre group Hotel Pro Forma, the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle, the private foundation Politiken-Fonden, Odense Theatre, the Arts Committee of the Danish Parliament, Skagens Museum, The Hirschsprung Collection and The Court Theatre.
Karsten Ohrt has edited and authored exhibition catalogues, books and articles about art and is the recipient of the N.L. Høyen Medal and Ole Haslunds Legat, among other honours, and is an Officier dans l’Ordre de Mérite of Luxemburg.
