Çelenk Bafra is a curator and the Artistic Director of Istanbul Modern. She was formerly Director of the Istanbul Biennial and SAHA. She has demonstrated experience in leadership positions, curatorial practices, transnational partnerships, and support systems in the arts. Since 2008, she has curated group exhibitions and art programs in Europe. She produces weekly reviews & interviews on Açik Radio. She contributes to books and research programs on biennials, museums, and residency programs in English as author, lecturer, or editor.

Previously, she was the Director of SAHA, a non-governmental arts council supporting artists & curators through grants and programs. Former Curator and Director of Exhibitions & Programs at Istanbul Modern, she directed museum's curatorial departments, curated large scale group exhibitions, and international programs. At IKSV, she worked as the Director of the Istanbul Biennial, Artistic Coordinator of the “Saison de la Turquie” with Institut Français in France, and the advisor for the “Pavilion of Türkiye” la Biennale di Venezia. Longtime member of CIMAM and AICA, Bafra served on the board of directors of MuCEM museum in Marseille, France.

Çelenk Bafra has contributed to various artist-in-residency and curatorial programs internationally. She is the founding director of Atelier de Turquie at Cité des Arts in Paris and SAHA Studio in Istanbul. Her curatorial practice encompasses thematic group exhibitions, commissions, and multidisciplinary programs through international collaborations. 

**Selected Exhibitions: School Square Galatasaray (Pera Museum, 2018-2019), An Exile on Earth (Zilberman Berlin & Istanbul 2018-2019), Harbor (IM, 2017), Till It’s Gone (IM, 2015-2016), Neighbours (IM, 2014), Plurivocality (IM, 2014), Modernity? (IM, 2013), La La La Human Steps & Istanbul Modern Rotterdam (Boijmans Museum, Rotterdam, 2012), Uncanny Encounters (IM, 2011), Ahmet Cevdet Bey Presents: Tunnel of Fear (Overgaden CAC, Copenhagen, 2011), Fantasie et Ile (FRAC Corse, Corsica 2010), Emploi Saisonnier (La Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille, 2009-2010).

**Selected Programmes: World Weather Network (2022-2024), Wayward Initiatives (2023), the Octopus Programme (2021-2022), YAP: Young Architects Program (with MoMA/MoMA PS1, MAXXI, Constructo, IM, 2012-2016), Artists’ Film International (Whitechapel Gallery, IM, 2011-2018) and Museums Talk series from the USA, the UK and Germany (British Council, Goethe Institute, US Embassy, IM, 2011-2018), Headless Women (Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam, 2012), 60 Ans 60 Vidéos (Apollonia, Strasbourg, 2009)