Oluremi C. Onabanjo Named Photography Curator at The Met; Queens Artists Get Grants; Hirshhorn Director Joins Guggenheim

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as its new photography curator. Onabanjo, who has been with the Museum of Modern Art since 2021, played a key role in exhibitions featuring Ernest Cole and Ming Smith. Originally from London, she was raised in Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and the U.S., and her work emphasizes the photographic histories of African and Black diasporas. Her 2022 book, 'Marilyn Nance: Last Day in Lagos,' reflects this focus. In 2025, she will be honored with the inaugural Vilcek Foundation Prize for curatorial excellence. Meanwhile, 129 artists from Queens have been awarded $493,350 in grants from the Queens Arts Fund. Additionally, Melissa Chiu will depart from the Hirshhorn Museum to lead the Guggenheim Museum, and United States Artists revealed its $50,000 Knight Arts + Tech fellowship recipients. The gallery 47 Canal is set to move to Chelsea, and this year's Carle Honors will recognize Bryan Collier as the artist honoree. British artist Stuart Semple is also giving away free signed editions of his 'pinkest pink' pigment.