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 marks a significant shift in the museum's direction, as Fisher brings a fresh perspective and a commitment to transparency and care to the role. Her expertise in contemporary decorative arts and her advocacy for museum workers' rights make her a valuable addition to the team.
One of Fisher's notable contributions is her work on the Art + Museum Transparency initiative, which she co-founded to expose the underpaid positions in the art world. This effort has sparked long-taboo conversations around wages and compensation, shedding light on the industry's dark corners. Her passion for design and motherhood is also evident in her exploration of how these themes intersect in the realm of art.
In her new role, Fisher aims to center trust, care, and transparency in the museum's operations. She believes that these values are essential for the functioning of ecosystems, and she plans to incorporate them into her work at Cooper Hewitt. This approach is already well-received, as evidenced by the warm welcome she has received from the museum's team.
The Cooper Hewitt's appointment of Fisher comes as a replacement for Matilda McQuaid, who is retiring after 24 years at the museum. McQuaid's legacy will be remembered as Fisher steps into this new role, carrying on the museum's mission with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
In other news, the Getty Foundation has awarded $1.8 million in grants to eight institutions through its Black Visual Arts Archive initiative. This funding 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, and the David C. Driskell Center.
The initiative, launched in 2022, has already awarded over $4.5 million to more than 20 museums, libraries, and universities nationwide. This funding is a significant step towards preserving and showcasing the rich history of Black visual arts, bringing these works closer to the public.
Additionally, the art world has seen several notable appointments and accolades. Jamie Blosser has been appointed as the curator of the Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, while Graham C. Boettcher takes on the role of director and CEO of the Norman Rockwell Museum. Artists Coco Fusco and Jeffrey Gibson have been named speakers for the Sam Gilliam Lecture Series at Johns Hopkins University, and Claudia Hart received the Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement in Digital Art from the Association for Computing Machinery.
The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum in Shoreview, Minnesota, has welcomed Jennifer Rappaport as its new director of Collections & Registration. Meanwhile, Susan Fisher Sterling, the veteran director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, is set to retire after nearly four decades at the institution. Finally, Gōzō Yoshimasu has been awarded the inaugural Serpentine × FLAG Art Foundation Prize.
Among these updates, a notable wildcard is artist Nora Turato's billboard on Manhattan's High Line. Turato's simple yet powerful message, 'GIVE US MOM!!!', in a yellow, Comic Sans-esque font, resonates with many anxious New Yorkers. It serves as a punchy cry for help, reflecting the collective desperation and intrusive thoughts about rising rents and AI takeovers that many residents experience.
