Serra Yentürk has been appointed as the third director of SAHA. Yentürk, who has been acting as interim-director since February 2024, takes over from Çelenk Bafra, continuing a legacy of supporting of artists, curators, and writers in Türkiye.
Yentürk’s previously worked as SAHA’s studio coordinator and managed international residency programs overseas from 2022 to 2024. Former roles also include time at Galeri Nev Istanbul and as the editor of Borusan Contemporary following her independent editorial and curatorial practice in Paris where she was previously based.
SAHA’s founding chairperson, Füsun Eczacıbaşı, expressed strong support for Yentürk’s appointment in a statement: “I firmly believe that Serra will be joining forces with the art community and colleagues in promoting projects to reimagine contemporary art and open doors to new questions in these times when we continuously rethink our days and our future. She will be engaging our team and our members, and lead SAHA forward.”
Established in 2011, SAHA Association aims to encourage Turkish art practitioners and writers through support with production and development, as well as expand their networks with international art institutions. Since it’s founding, SAHA has supported 650 creatives and initiatives in projects across 46 countries, in over 220 museums, biennales, non-profit institutions and organisations.