Laura Phipps, previously an associate curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art, has been appointed as the new director of the Gochman Family Collection (GFC). This announcement coincides with the collection's upcoming permanent exhibition space along the Hudson River Valley, slated to open this fall, which will showcase its impressive array of contemporary Indigenous art.
Established in 2021 by philanthropist Becky Gochman and former gallerist Zach Feuer, the GFC is a private lending collection focused on promoting living Indigenous artists, such as Cara Romero, Marilou Schultz, Ishi Glinsky, and Raven Halfmoon, through acquisitions and exhibition loans without fees.
With a total of 750 artworks, 260 of which have been displayed in over 100 international exhibitions, the Gochman family's Upper East Side residence also provides public tours, ensuring that around 60% of their collection is accessible at any time.
In an interview, Phipps expressed enthusiasm for the new space in Katonah, Westchester County, describing it as a "new opportunity to show the collection in a more public-facing way." This approach allows visitors to engage with the art at their convenience, rather than being limited to scheduled tours.
"We essentially have this blank-slate type of space, and we're eager to explore the connections between these artists and how their work is perceived in a domestic setting," Phipps remarked, highlighting the venue's capacity for showcasing larger works.
The Gochman Collection has secured several buildings just a minute's walk from Katonah's Metro-North train station, making it convenient for visitors to experience the collection. The final phase will feature 10,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Phipps, who has spent 16 years at the Whitney and witnessed its evolution from the Breuer Building to Gansevoort Street, is looking forward to the challenges of curating in a space that is still being developed. She emphasized the importance of "flexibility" in responding to the community's needs.
"What sets the GFC apart is its foundation in both a passion for art and a commitment to supporting artists, while also recognizing the importance of adaptability," Phipps explained.
She also mentioned the collection's connection to the governance structure and mission of the Forge Project, a Native-led arts nonprofit co-founded by Gochman and Feuer, which is dedicated to Indigenous futurity.
"We share the same goal of maximizing the visibility of this work," Phipps affirmed.
Phipps previously curated Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's retrospective, Memory Map (2023), at the Whitney and was a co-chair of the museum's Indigenous Art, Artists, and Audiences Working Group.
According to GFC Creative Director and Curator Rachel Martin (Tlingit), "Laura understands that contemporary Native art is central to American art history. Her collaborative, artist-first practice embodies our belief that collections can serve as living, responsive ecosystems."