Book Talk: Black Curators Matter with Kellie Jones

About the Talk

Please join us for a conversation with Kellie Jones, Hans Hofmann Professor of Modern Art at Columbia University, on her latest book, Black Curators Matter: Conversations on Art and Change, presented in collaboration with the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department at Columbia University. The book traces the history of Black curatorial practice from the 1960s to the present through conversations between leading and contemporary curators, highlighting their influence on institutions, exhibitions, and the ongoing effort to diversify the art world. Jones will be in joined in conversation with Rujeko Hockley, Arnhold Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Whitney Museum of American Art, followed by an audience Q&A.

About the Book

Black Curators Matter: Conversations on Art and Change (2026)

In the late 1960s, the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition and other groups organized protests at major art museums, calling for the inclusion of Black artists and curators. Such advocacy led to acquisitions and exhibitions by Black artists at important institutions and spurred the establishment of museums and cultural organizations promoting Black art and culture. Today, Black curators hold significant positions at institutions nationwide. Black Curators Matter illuminates this critical history by spotlighting figures who have transformed the art world since the 1970s and presents enlightening conversations between six pioneering curators—Lowery Stokes Sims, Deborah Willis, Richard J. Powell, Thelma Golden, Franklin Sirmans, and Jones—and a new generation of professionals. Capturing the voices and experiences of Black curators, these discussions highlight their achievements and provide guidance for future generations aiming to diversify and enrich the cultural landscape.