Independent Curators International

Independent Curators International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and advancement of curatorial practice on a global scale. Founded in New York City in 1975, it facilitates the creation and international touring of innovative exhibitions of contemporary art. The organization provides professional development for curators, fosters critical discourse, and connects artists, curators, and institutions worldwide through a dynamic program of exhibitions, events, and publications.

History

The organization was established in 1975 by a group of curators, including Susan Sollins, who sought to create a platform for presenting ambitious contemporary art exhibitions beyond the confines of traditional museums and galleries. Its early years were marked by pioneering traveling exhibitions that brought new art movements and international artists to diverse audiences across North America and Europe. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it expanded its global network, collaborating with institutions like the New Museum and the Walker Art Center. Under the subsequent leadership of figures such as Judith Olch Richards and, later, Kate Fowle, it significantly broadened its international scope and digital initiatives, solidifying its role as a pivotal hub for curatorial research and exchange in the 21st century.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to champion the role of the curator as a vital cultural producer and to make contemporary art accessible to a worldwide public. Central to its activities is the production and international touring of thematic group exhibitions, often showcasing emerging artists alongside established figures. It administers prestigious grant programs and fellowships, such as the Andy Warhol Foundation Curatorial Research Fellowships, which support innovative curatorial projects. The organization also hosts public programs, including lectures, panels, and the annual Curatorial Intensive, a professional development workshop held in locations from Moscow to Johannesburg. These initiatives foster dialogue among professionals from institutions like the Tate Modern and the Guggenheim Museum.

Notable exhibitions and projects

The organization has organized over 150 traveling exhibitions since its inception, many of which have become landmark surveys. Early significant projects included exhibitions that introduced American audiences to European movements like Transavantgarde. Later, exhibitions such as *The American Century: Art & Culture 1900–2000* toured extensively to venues including the Brooklyn Museum. More recent projects often focus on urgent global themes, collaborating with artists from regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Exhibitions like *Person of the Crowd* and *The Ocean, After Nature* have been presented at partner institutions worldwide, from the MCA Chicago to the MMCA Korea.

Publications

Publishing is an integral component of its mission to document and disseminate curatorial thought. It produces comprehensive catalogues for each touring exhibition, which often serve as key scholarly texts on contemporary artists and themes. The organization also publishes the *ICI Perspectives* series of essays and the *Curatorial Glossary*, resources that contribute to global discourse on museum studies and exhibition-making. These publications are distributed internationally and are frequently collected by libraries at major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and academic centers such as the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College.

Leadership and organization

The organization is governed by a Board of directors comprising leaders from the international art world, including curators, art historians, and philanthropists. The executive leadership, notably Director Kate Fowle since 2013, guides its strategic vision and global partnerships. A small professional staff in New York City manages its extensive programs, supported by an international advisory committee. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, funded through a combination of grants from foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation, government agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from individual patrons.

Category:Arts organizations based in New York City Category:Curatorial organizations Category:Organizations established in 1975