The art world is abuzz with the latest news and appointments, and Hyperallergic's Art Movements column is here to keep you informed. This week, we have a new curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, a major grant for Black visual art archives, and an artist's cheeky plea on the High Line.
A New Curator at the Cooper Hewitt
The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum has appointed Michelle Millar Fisher as its new chief curator. Fisher, previously the curator of Contemporary Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the role. Her work on transparency and wages in the art world has been groundbreaking, and she is passionate about design and its impact on society.
"Design includes systems and environments, and to function well, such ecosystems require trust, care, and transparency," Fisher said. "I've always tried to center this ethos in the way I contribute to teams that I work within, no matter my role. The same will be true at Cooper Hewitt, and I get the sense that this approach is not only warmly welcomed but already practiced."
Fisher will take over from Matilda McQuaid, who is retiring after 24 years at the museum. Her appointment is a significant step forward for the Cooper Hewitt, as she brings a fresh and innovative approach to curation and a commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
Getty Awards for Black Visual Arts Archives
The Getty has awarded $1.8 million in grants to eight institutions through its Black Visual Arts Archive initiative. This initiative aims to process historical records related to Black art, increasing public visibility and access. The institutions receiving grants include the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, and the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland.
Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has awarded over $4.5 million in grants to more than 20 museums, libraries, and universities nationwide. This funding is crucial in bringing works like the photograph of Harlem Renaissance artist Lois Mailou Jones to a wider audience, shedding light on the rich history of Black art and its contributions to the cultural landscape.
What Else Happened?
- The Harvard Graduate School of Design has appointed Jamie Blosser as the next curator of the Loeb Fellowship.
- Graham C. Boettcher has been appointed director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.
- Artists Coco Fusco and Jeffrey Gibson have been named speakers for the second annual Sam Gilliam Lecture Series at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
- Claudia Hart received the Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art from the Association for Computing Machinery.
- Jennifer Rappaport is the new director of Collections & Registration at the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum in Shoreview, Minnesota.
- Susan Fisher Sterling, the veteran director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, will retire in December after nearly four decades at the institution.
- GΕzΕ Yoshimasu is the recipient of the inaugural Serpentine Γ FLAG Art Foundation Prize.
A Wildcard: Nora Turato's 'GIVE US MOM!!!'
On the High Line, near Manhattan's 18th Street, artist Nora Turato has unveiled a bold and attention-grabbing billboard that simply reads, 'GIVE US MOM!!!' in a playful, Comic Sans-esque font. This work is a punchy cry for help, resonating with many anxious New Yorkers who find themselves in intrusive-thought spirals about rising rents and AI takeovers.
Turato's work is a testament to the power of art to express our deepest pleas and concerns. As someone who frequently calls her mother for various matters, from cooking times to existential crises, Turato's work is relatable and humorous. It serves as a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for communication and self-expression, even in the most unexpected and playful forms.
The art world is ever-evolving, and these appointments and initiatives are a testament to the creativity and innovation that drives the field. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how these new curators and institutions shape the future of art and design, bringing fresh perspectives and a commitment to transparency and inclusivity.
