Art Curators in U.S.

It’s clear that the landscape of the U.S. art world is undergoing a vital transformation, with a burgeoning presence of Black curators driving significant change. The fact that a mere 4% of professionals in curatorial, conservation, education, and leadership roles in U.S. museums are African American, as highlighted by the Mellon Foundation report, underscores the immense importance of these individuals. Each of the curators listed below is not just filling a role; they’re actively shaping narratives, diversifying collections, and creating more inclusive and dynamic spaces for art and artists.

Key Contributions of Influential Curators

Here’s a look at the significant impact each of these curators is making:

• Adrienne Edwards: A leading voice in performance art, Adrienne transforms museum spaces into dynamic stages, fostering a deeper engagement with live artistic expression. Her work at the Whitney highlights the vital role of performance within institutional contexts.
• Akili Tommasino: Akili brings a keen eye for modern and contemporary art to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, while also championing diversity within the museum field through initiatives aimed at empowering students of color.
• Allison Glenn: Allison excels at crafting nuanced group exhibitions that forge unexpected connections between artworks. Her curatorial approach invites fresh perspectives and broadens conversations around contemporary art.
• Brittany Webb: Brittany is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of sculptor John Rhoden. Her work at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is crucial for ensuring his significant contributions are widely recognized and celebrated.
• Courtney J. Martin: As a curator for the Frieze Artist Award and Deputy Director at Dia Art Foundation, Courtney champions site-specific installations and supports emerging artists, pushing the boundaries of how art engages with its physical environment.
• Diana Nawi: Co-curating for Prospect New Orleans, Diana is known for her innovative approach to citywide exhibitions, transforming urban landscapes into vibrant platforms for artistic engagement and community interaction.
• Elvira Dyangani Ose: As Director of The Showroom in London, Elvira is challenging traditional notions of art by commissioning experimental works and providing crucial platforms for artists to debut their solo exhibitions.
• Erin J. Gilbert: Erin is strategically building and expanding the African American manuscript collection at the Archives of American Art, ensuring that invaluable historical voices and artistic narratives are preserved for future generations.
• Franklin Sirmans: As Director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami and a Frieze New York curator, Franklin is a powerful advocate for platforms that elevate artists of color, actively reimagining and honoring the legacies of groundbreaking spaces like Just Above Midtown.
• Hamza Walker: Hamza fosters interdisciplinary dialogue in the art world, particularly at Frieze Los Angeles. His approach seamlessly integrates conversations and music, highlighting the rich connections between various artistic mediums and forms of expression.
• Jade Powers: Jade is dedicated to documenting and interpreting the contributions of African American artists within museum collections. Her work enriches the narrative of contemporary art by ensuring these vital voices are visible and understood.
• Jamillah James: As a co-curator for the New Museum Triennial, Jamillah is instrumental in identifying and showcasing emerging global artists, fostering an international dialogue around the future directions of contemporary art.
• Juana Williams: Juana brings a unique blend of historical insight and contemporary vision to her role, curating exhibitions that connect past contributions with present artistic expressions, particularly those of Black women artists.
• Kelli Morgan: A critical race historian, Kelli meticulously contextualizes American art within complex social and historical frameworks. Her curatorial practice encourages deeper analysis of visual narratives and their societal implications.
• Kristina Newman-Scott: As President of BRIC, Kristina is a driving force for accessible and diverse cultural programming in Brooklyn. Her leadership ensures that art remains a vibrant and integral part of community life.
• Larry Ossei-Mensah: Larry champions an expansive, multidisciplinary approach to museum programming at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. He believes in creating dynamic experiences that extend beyond traditional exhibitions, engaging diverse communities.
• Lauren Haynes: Lauren consistently curates compelling exhibitions that explore identity and cultural power, particularly in her work at Crystal Bridges Museum and as a curator for The Armory Show’s Focus section.
• Legacy Russell: Legacy’s work as a writer and curator delves into the intersections of gender, performance, and new media. At the Studio Museum in Harlem, she explores how digital narratives and fluid identities redefine contemporary artistic expression.
• Linda Harrison: As Director and CEO of the Newark Museum, Linda is leading a significant charge in diversifying museum leadership and collections. Her vision is making the institution more inclusive and representative of broader cultural narratives.
• Margot Norton: As a co-curator for the New Museum Triennial, Margot is key in identifying and presenting cutting-edge global artists, shaping the discourse around contemporary art’s most innovative trends.
• N’Goné Fall: As the General Commissioner for Season Africa 2020, N’Goné is a pivotal figure in showcasing African creativity and perspectives on a global stage, spanning diverse artistic disciplines and cultural expressions.
• Naima J. Keith: Naima is a vital force in nurturing emerging talent, with key roles at Prospect New Orleans and Expo Chicago. She creates crucial platforms for new artists and galleries to gain visibility and influence.
• Naomi Beckwith: Naomi excels at curating impactful exhibitions with profound social and cultural resonance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Her work often addresses complex themes related to the Black experience, fostering critical dialogue.
• Ndubuisi C. Ezeluomba: Ndubuisi brings a rich, authentic perspective to African art at the New Orleans Museum of Art. His curatorial practice deeply explores the cultural and spiritual meanings embedded within these works.
• Rayna Andrews: As an archivist at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art, Rayna plays a critical role in preserving and making accessible historical records of African American artists, ensuring their stories and contributions endure.
• V. Mitch McEwen: V. Mitch uniquely connects art, design, and urban development through her curatorial work with IdeasCity. She explores how culture can drive the future of cities, envisioning more inclusive and sustainable environments.
• Vera Grant: Vera is adept at weaving together modern and contemporary art with rich cultural narratives, particularly those of African and African American heritage, enriching the collection and dialogue at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
• Yesomi Umolu: As Artistic Director of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Yesomi brings a global perspective and spatial sensibility to her curatorial vision, exploring how built environments shape our lives and perceptions.
• Yolanda Wisher: As Curator of Spoken Word at Philadelphia Contemporary, Yolanda uniquely integrates poetry and performance into visual art spaces, bridging disciplines and creating immersive auditory and visual experiences.
• Zoé Whitley: Zoé is a perceptive international art curator, notably for the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. She consistently champions artists who challenge conventions, presenting work that sparks profound reflection on global identities and narratives.

The collective efforts of these 30 individuals are not just about representation; they are about fundamentally transforming the art world, making it more diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the complex, multicultural societies we inhabit.

Printing shop in Kendall, FL