Curatorial leaders in the fields of African, African American, and diasporic art gather for a daylong symposium. Through formal presentations, object talks by students, and a panel of alumni, the symposium creates a space to talk about what it means to curate black art today, and how the museum itself is challenged and changed through a focus on works by artists of color.

The keynote address, delivered by Naima J. Keith, deputy director of the California African American Museum, takes place at 5:45 p.m on Thursday, November 1.. No preregistration is required.

The symposium is cosponsored by the Department of Art, with generous support from the Art History Baldwin Endowment, was organized in partnership with the Afrikan Heritage House as part of Kuumba Week, Oberlin's annual celebration of black creativity.

Symposium Schedule 

10 a.m. Doors Open

10:15 a.m. Kuumba Week Welcome by Candice Raynor and Introduction by Andrea Gyorody, Ellen Johnson ’33 Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

10:20 a.m.–12 p.m. Curatorial Practice Now
Presentations by Lauren Haynes ’04, curator of contemporary art at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Joseph Underwood, assistant professor of art history, Kent State University; and independent curator Niama Safia Sandy. Discussion moderated by Andrea Gyorody, Ellen Johnson ’33 Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

12–12:30 p.m. Breakout Session
Object talks throughout the collection led by current students and recent graduates.

2-4 p.m. Oberlin and the Future of Museums
Panel discussion with Abbe Schriber ’09, PhD candidate at Columbia University; Alexandra Nicome ’17, interpretation fellow at the Walker Art Center; and Kantara Souffrant ’08, visiting assistant professor of art history, Oberlin College. Moderated by Octavia Bürgel ’19. 

4:15 p.m. Public Reception upstairs at the Feve, 30 S. Main Street, Oberlin, OH  44074