NEW YORK, NY.- Art in General—the New York-based nonprofit dedicated to assisting local and international artists with the production and presentation of groundbreaking new projects—announced today that its Director Anne Barlow will depart in early 2017 to become the Artistic Director for Tate St. Ives. An international search for a new director will begin immediately.
“Under Anne’s tenure, Art in General has enhanced its new Commissions Program and launched a new International Collaborations Program, expanding our ability to connect with, support, and present the work of dynamic artists from New York and abroad. Her vision and tireless advocacy for artists has increased substantially the critical appreciation and visibility of our exhibitions and educational programs,” said Roya Khadjavi Heidari, co-president of Art in General’s Board of Directors. “She has brought in new foundation and government funding and grown the number of individuals dedicated to AiG’s mission, an essential part of our ongoing success.”
“Although we are very sorry to lose Anne’s leadership and passionate commitment, we are gratified that the Tate St. Ives sees in her so many of the same talents that we have come to value,” said Leslie Ruff, co-president of Art In General’s Board of Directors. “We wish her all the very best for this exciting new chapter, and look forward to working with her during this transitional time while we begin the search for a new Director.”
Under Barlow’s nine years of leadership, Art in General’s programs, profile, and reach have significantly expanded. Its New Commissions Program offers critical financial, promotional, and logistic support to artists, so that they may realize new projects that extend their practices and contributions to cultural dialogue. While the International Collaborations Program fosters partnerships with organizations around the world to expand the reach of artists to a more global and diverse audience. Through these initiatives, Art in General has become one of the most vibrant contemporary arts presenters in New York, engaging with artists, organizations, and constituencies worldwide, most recently in Australia, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
“As a curator, few things are more gratifying than being able to provide support to a diverse and international array of artists, and to work with many great colleagues and partner institutions to bring these artists' projects to fruition,” said Anne Barlow. “The last nine years have been among the most productive and inspiring in my career, and I am profoundly grateful to Art in General's wonderful staff, Board, and supporters for their commitment to the institution and its mission.”
Exhibitions during Barlow’s tenure at Art in General supported and presented the work of artists at decisive moments, including: Donna Huanca (2015), Marwa Arsanios (2015), Adelita Husni-Bey (2015), Basim Magdy (2014), Jill Magid (2013), and Meriç Algün Ringborg (2013). In 2013, Art in General was also invited to co-curate the Latvian Pavilion for the 55th Venice Biennale, and in 2015 contributed to the 2nd Tbilisi Triennial in Georgia. In 2014, Barlow conceived and launched Art in General’s award-winning What Now? symposium on critical and timely issues in contemporary culture, that continues to be presented in collaboration with multi-year educational partner The Vera List Center for Art and Politics, New York.
Earlier this year, Art In General opened its new gallery on Plymouth Street, in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn. On November 19, Art In General will open a new exhibition in the space of works by South African artist Dineo Seshee Bopape. Commissioned by the organization, Bopape’s new project, titled sa ____ ke lerole, (sa lerole ke ___) (that which is of ___is dust, (that which is of dust is____), includes a large-scale, immersive installation using materials such as soil, clay, brass objects, charcoal, flowers and ash. The project is Bopape’s first solo exhibition in the United States, and is presented as part of Art in General’s New Commissions program.
