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About Us
Our New Building
Studio Museum in HarlemOur New Building
Studio Museum in HarlemOur New Building

Studio Museum in Harlem

Born out of an urgent need amid the political, social, and cultural ferment of the late 1960s, the Studio Museum in Harlem was founded by a diverse group of artists, community activists, and philanthropists who came together to address the near-complete exclusion of artists of African descent from mainstream museums, commercial art galleries, academic institutions, and scholarly publications.

MissionThe BuildingThe BrandArtist SupportArchivesPressLeadershipCareersAccessContact Us
MissionThe BuildingThe BrandArtist SupportArchivesPressLeadershipCareersAccessContact Us

Mission

The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally and for work that has been inspired and influenced by Black culture. It is a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about art and society.

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<p>(L to R) Museum founders Eleanor Holmes Norton, Carter Burden, Charles E. Inniss, Campbell Wylly, Betty Blayton-Taylor, and Frank Donnelly at the Studio Museum on opening night</p>

(L to R) Museum founders Eleanor Holmes Norton, Carter Burden, Charles E. Inniss, Campbell Wylly, Betty Blayton-Taylor, and Frank Donnelly at the Studio Museum on opening night

Tom Lloyd and apprentices in the artist’s studio in Jamaica, Queens, c. 1968. Photo: Reginald McGhee.
Tom Lloyd and apprentices in the artist’s studio in Jamaica, Queens, c. 1968. Photo: Reginald McGhee.
<p>Portrait of Mary Schmidt Campbell, c. 1983. Photo: Dawoud Bey</p>

Portrait of Mary Schmidt Campbell, c. 1983. Photo: Dawoud Bey

<p>Participants of the annual Studio Museum in Harlem chalk-in saluting the Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration on the plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, July 3, 1985. Photo: Dawoud Bey.</p>

Participants of the annual Studio Museum in Harlem chalk-in saluting the Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration on the plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, July 3, 1985. Photo: Dawoud Bey.

Exhibiting artists Elliot Jerome Brown Jr., Amy Sherald, and Gioncarlo Valentine at The Artist's Voice at The Studio Museum in Harlem, November 29, 2017.
Exhibiting artists Elliot Jerome Brown Jr., Amy Sherald, and Gioncarlo Valentine at The Artist's Voice at The Studio Museum in Harlem, November 29, 2017.

The Building

The Studio Museum is currently constructing the first building in its history created expressly for the needs of the institution and its communities. The new building occupies the site on West 125th Street on which the Studio Museum had been operating since 1982.

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The Brand

The Studio Museum’s graphic identity has evolved and responded to the times using print and digital media to advance narratives about Black culture and support an ecosystem of artists and art workers. As the Museum prepares to open its first purpose-built space on 125th street in Harlem, it selected Pacific, a multidisciplinary creative studio to reimagine an identity system that drives forward a legacy of graphic innovation.

The new identity forefronts typography and a three-tiered color palette favoring black and grayscale that offers a range of creative options for the Museum to deepen its connection to artists, members, visitors, and Harlem.

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Artist Support

Residency Program

Every year, the Museum offers an eleven-month residency for three local, national, or international artists working in any media. Proposed as a founding initiative in 1968, the Artist-in-Residence program has earned The Studio Museum recognition for its catalytic role in advancing the work of visual artists of African and Afro-Latinx descent.

See the residency program

Wein Prize

Presented each year at the Studio Museum’s fall Gala, the award recognizes and honors the artistic achievements of an African-American artist who demonstrates great innovation, promise, and creativity.

See Wein Prize recipients

Archives

The Studio Museum in Harlem Archives was established to preserve and make accessible the Studio Museum’s historical records. The Archives provides a space for a critical, interdisciplinary inquiry into the past, present, and future.

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Press and News

10.29.24
The Ford Foundation Announces $10 Million Dollar Grant to the Studio Museum In Harlem, Permanently Endowing the Position of Director and Chief Curator
Go to The Ford Foundation Announces $10 Million Dollar Grant to the Studio Museum In Harlem, Permanently Endowing the Position of Director and Chief Curator
10.08.24
Studio Museum in Harlem Announces Inaugural Exhibitions and Opening Season
Go to Studio Museum in Harlem Announces Inaugural Exhibitions and Opening Season
08.15.24
Studio Museum in Harlem's Annual Artist-in-Residence Exhibition Opens September 26 at MoMA PS1
Go to Studio Museum in Harlem's Annual Artist-in-Residence Exhibition Opens September 26 at MoMA PS1
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Leadership

Thelma Golden

Director and Chief Curator

Thelma Golden is the Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Under Golden’s leadership, the Museum has gained increased renown as a global leader in the exhibition of contemporary art, a center for innovative education, and a cultural anchor in the Harlem community. Born and raised in New York City, Golden began her impressive career as an apprentice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while still in high school. She began working at the Studio Museum while an undergraduate student of art history and African American studies at Smith College—first as an intern, then as a curatorial fellow after her graduation. 
Thelma Golden is the Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem. Under Golden’s leadership, the Museum has gained increased renown as a global leader in the exhibition of contemporary art, a center for innovative education, and a cultural anchor in the Harlem community. Born and raised in New York City, Golden began her impressive career as an apprentice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while still in high school. She began working at the Studio Museum while an undergraduate student of art history and African American studies at Smith College—first as an intern, then as a curatorial fellow after her graduation. 

Natasha L. Logan

Chief Program Officer

Natasha Logan is the Chief Program Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem providing strategic direction for the comprehensive realization of Museum programs such as exhibitions, learning and engagement, and the permanent collection. Logan is a cultural producer and arts worker. Most recently, she was the Deputy Director at Creative Time, where she played a critical role in producing major commissions and securing new partnerships.
Natasha Logan is the Chief Program Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem providing strategic direction for the comprehensive realization of Museum programs such as exhibitions, learning and engagement, and the permanent collection. Logan is a cultural producer and arts worker. Most recently, she was the Deputy Director at Creative Time, where she played a critical role in producing major commissions and securing new partnerships.

Chakshu Patel

Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer

Chakshu Patel is the Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem. She oversees the Development, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Experience, and Retail departments at the Museum. Alongside Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden, Patel also leads the Studio Museum’s capital campaign to build a new purpose-built museum in the heart of Harlem and to expand the groundbreaking and innovative exhibitions and programming for which the Studio Museum is known.
Chakshu Patel is the Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem. She oversees the Development, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Experience, and Retail departments at the Museum. Alongside Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden, Patel also leads the Studio Museum’s capital campaign to build a new purpose-built museum in the heart of Harlem and to expand the groundbreaking and innovative exhibitions and programming for which the Studio Museum is known.

Terrence Phearse

Chief of Staff

Terrence Phearse is the Chief of Staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem. In this role, Phearse oversees special projects, external and governmental affairs, and the governance of Board activities at the Museum, and supports the Museum's internal culture. Phearse comes to the Studio Museum with editorial, administrative, curatorial, and directorial expertise that spans enterprises and divisions. Over his career, Phearse has held leadership positions wherein he has curated exhibitions, organized educational programming, given university lectures, and secured funding for various institutional initiatives.
Terrence Phearse is the Chief of Staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem. In this role, Phearse oversees special projects, external and governmental affairs, and the governance of Board activities at the Museum, and supports the Museum's internal culture. Phearse comes to the Studio Museum with editorial, administrative, curatorial, and directorial expertise that spans enterprises and divisions. Over his career, Phearse has held leadership positions wherein he has curated exhibitions, organized educational programming, given university lectures, and secured funding for various institutional initiatives.

Debra Alligood White

General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer

Debra White is the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem. In this role, she oversees the operational and legal capacities of the Museum. She works closely with the Director, staff, and Trustees on Museum-wide planning and operations. White comes to the Studio Museum with extensive legal and strategic experience that spans multi-sectoral enterprises. Over her career, White has held numerous executive leadership positions in which she has supported organizational redesign and provided strategic guidance to a wide range of stakeholders.
Debra White is the General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at the Studio Museum in Harlem. In this role, she oversees the operational and legal capacities of the Museum. She works closely with the Director, staff, and Trustees on Museum-wide planning and operations. White comes to the Studio Museum with extensive legal and strategic experience that spans multi-sectoral enterprises. Over her career, White has held numerous executive leadership positions in which she has supported organizational redesign and provided strategic guidance to a wide range of stakeholders.
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Board of Trustees

Careers

Access

The Studio Museum in Harlem is committed to making its exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to all. The Museum continues its efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of its site and services.If you have questions or comments about accessibility at the Studio Museum, please call 212.864.4500 or email us.

Web Accessibility

Our effort to enhance and maintain the accessibility of our website is ongoing. If you have difficulty accessing our website or services, please email [email protected].

General Information

Mailing Address
144 West 125th Street
New York, New York 10027
Development
[email protected]
Director's Office
[email protected]
Image Requests & Permissions
[email protected]
Membership
[email protected]
Press Inquiries
[email protected]
Museum Store
[email protected]
Website
[email protected]

Financial Information

Fiscal Year 2023
Audited Financial Statements
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Fiscal Year 2023
990 IRS Filing
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Fiscal Year 2022
Annual Report
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Fiscal Year 2022
990 IRS Filing
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Fiscal Year 2022
Audited Financial Statements
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Fiscal Year 2021
Annual Report
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Fiscal Year 2021
990 IRS Filing
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Fiscal Year 2021
Audited Financial Statements
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Fiscal Year 2020
990 IRS Filing
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Fiscal Year 2020
Audited Financial Statements
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Fiscal Year 2019
990 IRS Filing
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Fiscal Year 2019
Audited Financial Statements
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