Talking to NYC Cultural Leaders

“The art that museums hang on their walls is the world we want to see in 10 years…” 

Four leaders of New York City’s world-class arts institutions gathered on September 15, 2022 for a conversation moderated by Ford Foundation President, Darren Walker, about the role of arts and culture in New York City’s next phase.

New York City’s arts and cultural institutions are economic engines, community anchors, and intimate windows onto the varied experiences of our city. Each of the four panelists offered a distinct perspective and call to action on what New Yorkers can do to keep cultural life strong, and to personally participate in an equitable transformation for New York City. 

“Tap into our love for New York City”

— Anne Pasternak, Brooklyn Museum

“Build a next generation of arts leaders”

— Thelma Golden, Studio Museum in Harlem

“Operate in a spirit of collaboration”

— Whitney Donhauser, Museum of the City of New York

“Support the smaller, community-based POC-led arts organizations”

— Kemi Ilesanmi, The Laundromat Project

A full video of the conversation can be seen here.

Panelists were: Whitney Donhauser, Director and President of the Museum of the City of New York; Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem; Kemi Ilesanmi, the Executive Director of The Laundromat Project; and Anne Pasternak, Shelby White and Leon Levy President of the Brooklyn Museum. The conversation was moderated by Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation.