Stephanie Smith to join AGO from the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art
With two decades of museum experience, Smith—an accomplished curator, writer and educator—joins the AGO on Aug. 19, 2014.
In her current role as the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art, Smith has led the intellectual, artistic and educational programs of a dynamic museum based in one of the world’s great research universities. Lauded for making contemporary art an anchor of the Smart Museum’s programs and profile through major exhibitions, artists’ commissions, and publications, Smith has also acquired significant works for the Museum’s collection by artists including Adrian Piper, Kerry James Marshall, Michael Rakowitz and Zhang Huan during her tenure.
“Stephanie is a strategic, innovative and inspiring leader whose adventurous projects combine international scope while paying close attention to her local community,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Director and CEO of the AGO. “She has a proven track record for developing interdisciplinary projects that encourage deep audience engagement and participation, and I’m delighted that she’ll bring that expertise and passion to the AGO.”
Born in St. Louis, Missouri and a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Smith has held positions at Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum and the Rice University Art Gallery in addition to internships at institutions ranging from the alternative space Capp Street Project, San Francisco, to the Menil Collection, Houston, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Upon taking up her new position in August, Smith will lead the Gallery’s curatorial team in designing exceptional art experiences that achieve the Gallery’s strategic goals. She will focus on exhibition planning in addition to developing the AGO’s significant collections, positioning Toronto’s rich artistic community in the widest context possible.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the AGO at such an exciting time in the Gallery’s history,” said Stephanie Smith. “My belief that visitor experience is paramount to an art museum’s mission aligns perfectly with the AGO’s commitment to listening carefully to its audience as it develops engaging, rigorous programming. I look forward to working with the AGO’s incredible curatorial team to develop dynamic and collaborative projects. Together we can extend the Gallery’s reach as one of the world’s leading civic art museums—and deepen its role as a locally beloved resource for all the citizens of Toronto.”