The Metropolitan Museum of Art is excited to announce the appointment of Oluremi C. Onabanjo as its new curator of photographs. A dedicated scholar, Onabanjo brings a wealth of knowledge focused on African and Black diasporic histories in photography. Raised across multiple countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States, she joins The Met after a successful tenure at the Museum of Modern Art, where she has curated significant exhibitions since 2021, featuring renowned artists such as Ernest Cole and Ming Smith.
Onabanjo is also known for her impactful publication, Marilyn Nance: Last Day in Lagos (2022), which explores the works of Brooklyn photographer Marilyn Nance during the historic 1977 Pan-African art festival. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with the inaugural Vilcek Foundation Prize for curatorial excellence, awarded in 2025.
In an inspiring move for the local art community, the New York Foundation for the Arts, in collaboration with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, has announced grants totaling $493,350 for 129 artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations based in Queens. Among the recipients is artist Adelle Yingxi Lin, celebrated for her innovative "calligraphy collaborations" with natural water bodies.
Noteworthy Developments in the Art World
- Melissa Chiu will transition from her role at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to become the new director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
- The United States Artists has announced the recipients of its $50,000 Knight Arts + Tech fellowship, including LIZN'BOW (Liz Ferrer and Bow Ty), Miguel Novelo, and others.
- 47 Canal, a gallery known for supporting emerging artists, will relocate to Chelsea, continuing to foster artistic talent.
- Bryan Collier has been honored as the artist recipient for this year's Carle Honors at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
In a playful celebration, British artist and provocateur Stuart Semple is commemorating a decade of his vibrant "pinkest pink" pigment by offering signed editions for free to everyone--except Anish Kapoor, who holds exclusive rights to the world's blackest black pigment. Semple's initiative underscores the importance of sharing creativity in the art community.
These developments not only highlight the dynamic nature of the art world but also signify a commitment to inclusivity and innovation, paving the way for a vibrant cultural future.
