New PAFA fellowship boosts much-needed diversity in the fine arts

Demographically speaking, the people who work in fine arts museums are different from those in the community beyond the doors. Those differences are particularly pronounced at higher levels, among administrators, educators, and curators. That’s a problem when it comes to assembling collections, mounting exhibitions, and getting new viewers to cross the threshold.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) aims to address this disparity with the Winston & Carolyn Lowe Curatorial Fellow for Diversity in the Fine Arts, designed to provide a two-year, comprehensive curatorial experience to individuals who bring new perspectives to museums. The Lowe Curatorial Fellowship is intended to serve as a bridge to careers in major museums for highly qualified candidates.

Welcoming UMass-Amherst scholar Kelli Morgan

Kelli Morgan, the first Lowe fellowship recipient, began her PAFA residency on July 18. Morgan, who is due to receive a doctorate in Afro-American studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, has worked in curatorial, programming, teaching, and research positions, and received numerous awards and grants.

Her interests include the historical, modern, and contemporary fine arts periods, a viewpoint that intersects nicely with PAFA’s collection and academic strengths. "She brings new and additional dimensions of experience and expertise to the nationally renowned curatorial staff at PAFA,” said benefactor and PAFA trustee Winston Lowe in a statement. “Carolyn and I look forward to this curatorial fellowship serving as a springboard for successive curatorial fellows…at world class art museums in the future." Carolyn Oakley Lowe serves on the PAFA board’s school and human resources committees.

The Lowes have committed support to Morgan and future fellows, and PAFA is hopeful that others will join them over time. “We are so grateful to the Lowes,” says Jodi Throckmorton, PAFA curator of contemporary arts, who supervises Morgan. “You really need people who believe in the mission and will support candidates. The Lowes are heavily invested in our core mission, and will mentor Kelli.”

Documenting the lack of diversity

The Lowe Curatorial Fellowship is one of a handful of programs nationally directed at increasing staff diversity in American fine arts museums. A July 2015 survey by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, of groups like the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), American Alliance of Museums, and Association of Art Museum Curators, documented the scope of the problem.

The Mellon study found that among personnel associated with the AAMD, 72 percent were categorized as “white non-Hispanic,” and 28 percent as “minority.” Among curators, conservators, educators, and other leadership positions, the breakdown was: 84 percent white non-Hispanic; 6 percent Asian; 4 percent Black; 3 percent white Hispanic; and 3 percent two or more races. The disparities were most marked at higher levels, with security and facilities jobs being more evenly distributed.

A bright curatorial future

Throckmorton explained that during her time at PAFA, Morgan will become familiar with all phases of running a major fine arts museum, from artistic considerations to business concerns. She will also work on community outreach, a particular interest of hers, and naturally, will mount an exhibit of her own design.

“Kelli will receive broad-based experience in historic, modern, and contemporary fine arts, as well as in PAFA’s other departments,” explains Throckmorton. “We want her to be exposed to development and fundraising, education and public programs. Curators wear lots of hats, and engage in lots of collaborations. We hope her next step is to become a curator at another institution.”