New York, NY — Celebrating innovative achievements in the world of art, the ARTnews Awards have just announced their first group of honorees for the 2024 edition. These new awards recognize outstanding exhibitions and contributions within U.S. arts institutions. They were selected by a panel comprised of prominent curators and ARTnews senior editors, after rigorous reviews of exhibitions showcased from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.
Among the illustrious panelists is Cecilia Alemani, well-known for her role as the Donald R. Mullen, Jr. Director and Chief Curator of High Line Art in New York City. Since 2011, Alemani has curated innovative public art installations along the High Line and is planning the 12th edition of the SITE Santa Fe International in 2025. Previously, she garnered acclaim as the artistic director of the 59th Venice Biennale with the exhibition “The Milk of Dreams,” which attracted over 800,000 visitors.
Joining Alemani is Naomi Beckwith, the Deputy Director and Jennifer and David Stockman Chief Curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Beckwith has significantly influenced contemporary art, especially through her efforts at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago before her tenure at the Guggenheim. Her curatorial work often explores the intersections of identity and culture, contributing to greater recognition of Black artists in the contemporary art scene.
The panel also includes Candice Hopkins, a citizen of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, who has been celebrated for her explorations into Indigenous art and history. As the Executive Director of the Forge Project in New York and a curator of several significant exhibitions, Hopkins brings a nuanced perspective to the table, integrating indigenous narratives and artifacts into broader contemporary art dialogues.
Additional expertise comes from Tina Kukielski, the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Art21, who has led the organization into new digital frontiers while preserving its role as a major platform for documentary film-making on contemporary art. Her previous roles include curatorial positions at the Whitney and Carnegie Museums.
Moreover, the jury featured María Elena Ortiz from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, who has curated significant exhibitions exploring Caribbean and African Diaspora art. Her efforts include developing the Caribbean Cultural Institute at the Pérez Art Museum Miami and increasing the representation of Caribbean artists in institutional collections.
Rounding out this accomplished group are Pilar Tompkins Rivas of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Maximilíano Durón and Alex Greenberger, both senior editors at ARTnews. Rivas is known for her dynamic role in fostering collaborations between museums and community organizations, whereas Durón and Greenberger have profoundly impacted art journalism through their insightful coverage and critical analysis of contemporary art trends and controversies.
The ARTnews Awards not only highlight exceptional curatorial work but also underscore the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding and appreciating art. Each juror brings a unique lens—whether through the prism of race, ethnicity, or indigenous identity—enriching the conversation around art in America.
This initiative by ARTnews serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of art and its narration, offering a platform for recognizing those who shape the way we interact with and perceive art in contemporary society.
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