The New Orleans Museum of Art selects Anne Collins Smith for Chief Curator
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Anne Collins Smith is the Chief Curator at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
Her new appointment is powerful. The job of a curator is to make choices and be the keeper of a collection of art and artifacts.
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To have a black women over all of the art at a museum sends a profound message that although Black artists weren't always recognized at museum institutions in the past, a Black curator can make sure everyone is part of museum collections going forward.
'There's always an element of who we are no matter the art form. That is what I try to champion. It's the most humbling thing. This is the most triumphant moment in my career! 20 years ago, nobody would have every thought there would be so much representation in the curatorial profession,' says Smith.
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Smith is now the lead for all of NOMA's exhibitions and is the expert for modern and contemporary art. Some of her favorite works inside of NOMA's galleries are from the likes of William T. Williams, Edgar Degas and Torkwase Dyson.
'Artists of color are so many other things in addition to their blackness,' explains Smith.
The diversity in types of art from Black artists is a vastly unique as hues of color on skin or a pallet of paint. Art from artists of color can be integrated into spaces and exhibitions of all kinds.
Smith believes the works of Black artists shouldn't be pigeonholed in an umbrella genre of black art. Race isn't the only factor in categorizing human expression.Why Trump's 'no tax on tips' promise may be closer to reality
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