The MFA Show is the culminating presentation of over 100 MFA candidates and an opportunity for new and ambitious work to be presented to the public. For more than six months, graduating MFA artists work with a team of three distinguished Guest Curators and twelve Graduate Curatorial Fellows to envision the exhibition. This invested approach allows for dialogue, process, and collaborative decision-making to guide the artists and curatorial teams as they work together to bring the MFA Show to fruition over time.
This year’s Guest Curators are Anthony Elms, Chief Curator, Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Philadelphia; Jenny Gheith, Assistant Curator, Painting and Sculpture, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA); and Kate Nesin, New York–based art historian and independent curator. They have worked in collaboration with a team of Graduate Curatorial Fellows: Qais Assali, (MA Art Education 2018), Duncan Bass, (Dual MA Art History and Arts Administration 2019), Madalyn Brooker, (MA Art History, Theory, and Criticism 2018), Katie Cato, (MA Art History, Theory, and Criticism 2018), Luna Goldberg (MA Art History, Theory, and Criticism 2018), Garbo Sihan Hu, (MA Arts Administration and Policy 2018), Lindsay Hutchens, (MFA 2017, Visual and Critical Studies 2018), Stephanie Koch, (MA Visual and Critical Studies 2018), Makayla May, (MA Art History, Theory, and Criticism 2018), Carlos Salazar-Lermont, (Dual MA Art History and Arts Administration 2019), Adia Sykes,(MA Arts Administration and Policy 2018), and Maria Urigoitia Villanueva, (MFA Design for Emerging Technology 2018).
The process is overseen by Kate Zeller, Director of Exhibitions, with Maire Witt O’Neill, Exhibition Producer, and lead staff: Curt Miller, Exhibition Manager; Michael Hall, Senior Exhibition Manager; Josh Fairbanks, Exhibition Manager; Hannah Barco, Assistant Director; Lindsey Barlag, Alumna Producer for Performances; Graduate Curatorial Assistants Chase Kaiser and Lindsey Bell; and all in collaboration with Site Managers and student technicians.