In a significant development for the art world, Michelle Millar Fisher has been appointed as the chief curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in Manhattan. Previously serving as the curator of Contemporary Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Fisher is renowned for her advocacy in addressing the often-overlooked discussions surrounding compensation and wages within the art industry. Notably, she co-founded the Art + Museum Transparency initiative in 2019, which aimed to shed light on the pervasive issue of underpayment in museum roles.
Fisher expressed her vision for the role, emphasizing the importance of trust, care, and transparency in design systems. "Design encompasses environments and systems that thrive on these values," she stated. "I aim to integrate this ethos into my contributions at Cooper Hewitt, where I feel this approach is already embraced."
She will take over from Matilda McQuaid, who has served the museum for 24 years and will retire this spring.
In another exciting announcement, the Getty Foundation has allocated $1.8 million in grants to eight institutions through its Black Visual Arts Archive initiative. This funding aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of historical records related to Black art. Beneficiaries include the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, and the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland. Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has distributed over $4.5 million to more than 20 museums, libraries, and universities, fostering a deeper connection between the public and significant works of art.
Additionally, several noteworthy appointments have been announced in the art community. The Harvard Graduate School of Design has named Jamie Blosser as the next curator of the Loeb Fellowship. Graham C. Boettcher has been appointed as the director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts, transitioning from his role at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Furthermore, artists Coco Fusco and Jeffrey Gibson will be featured speakers in the second annual Sam Gilliam Lecture Series at Johns Hopkins University.
In an intriguing artistic endeavor, Amsterdam-based artist Nora Turato has unveiled a striking blue billboard near Manhattan's High Line, boldly proclaiming "GIVE US MOM!!!" in a playful font. This work captures the essence of modern anxieties and resonates with many urban dwellers, providing a moment of humor and reflection amid the chaos of city life.
As these developments unfold, they not only enrich the cultural landscape but also pave the way for a more inclusive and transparent future in the arts.
