The art world is abuzz with the appointment of Michelle Millar Fisher as the new chief curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. This move is not just a change of personnel but a significant shift in the museum's focus, as Fisher brings with her a fresh perspective on design and a commitment to transparency and care. Her expertise in contemporary decorative arts and her advocacy for museum workers' rights make her an ideal fit for this role, and her appointment is a welcome development for the museum and the broader art community.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Fisher's appointment is her background in challenging long-taboo conversations around wages and compensation in the art world. Her 2019 Art + Museum Transparency initiative, which she co-founded while at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, exposed the industry's drastically underpaid positions and urged industry-wide reform. This commitment to transparency and fairness is a refreshing change in the art world, where issues of compensation and labor rights have often been overlooked or ignored. It is a bold move that could potentially transform the way museums and galleries operate and the way artists are valued and compensated.
The Getty Awards $1.8M for Black Visual Arts Archives is another significant development in the art world. This initiative provides funding to process historical records related to Black art, increasing public visibility and access. The institutions that received 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. This move is a step towards addressing the lack of representation and accessibility of Black art in the broader art world. It is a welcome development that could potentially lead to a more diverse and inclusive art landscape.
The appointment of Graham C. Boettcher as director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts is another notable development. Boettcher, who will step down from his current role as CEO of the Birmingham Museum of Art in July, brings with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to the museum's mission. His appointment is a testament to the importance of leadership in the art world and the impact that a dedicated and passionate leader can have on a museum's success.
The Sam Gilliam Lecture Series at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, is another exciting development. The series, which features artists Coco Fusco and Jeffrey Gibson as speakers, is a celebration of the work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. It is a testament to the importance of education and the role that universities play in promoting the arts. The lecture series is a welcome development that could potentially lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of Gilliam's work and the broader art world.
The Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art given to Claudia Hart is another significant development. Hart, who received the award from the Association for Computing Machinery, is a pioneer in the field of digital art and a testament to the power of technology in the arts. Her work is a reminder of the potential of digital media to transform the way we create and experience art.
The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum in Shoreview, Minnesota, has appointed Jennifer Rappaport as its new director of Collections & Registration. Rappaport, who brings with her a wealth of experience and a commitment to the museum's mission, is a welcome addition to the museum's team. Her appointment is a testament to the importance of leadership in the art world and the impact that a dedicated and passionate leader can have on a museum's success.
The retirement of Susan Fisher Sterling, the veteran director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, is a significant development. Sterling, who will retire in December after nearly four decades at the institution, has been a champion of women's art and a leader in the art world. Her retirement is a reminder of the importance of leadership and the impact that a dedicated and passionate leader can have on an institution's success.
The inaugural Serpentine × FLAG Art Foundation Prize, awarded to Gōzō Yoshimasu, is another exciting development. The prize, which recognizes the work of an emerging artist, is a testament to the importance of supporting and promoting the work of young artists. It is a welcome development that could potentially lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of Yoshimasu's work and the broader art world.
Finally, the billboard by artist Nora Turato near Manhattan's High Line on 18th Street is a powerful and humorous commentary on the state of the art world. Turato's work, which simply reads 'GIVE US MOM!!!' in yellow, Comic Sans-esque font, is a reminder of the importance of community and the impact that art can have on our lives. It is a testament to the power of art to connect us and to inspire us to take action. In my opinion, Turato's work is a brilliant commentary on the state of the art world and a reminder of the importance of art in our lives.
