PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) recently appointed Imani Roach as the first director and curator of the Brind Center for African and African Diasporic Art. Funded by Trustee Ira Brind, this new center aims to broaden the museum’s collection and engagement with artwork from Africa and the African diaspora.
Roach, an esteemed scholar and curator, takes the helm at a time when the PMA seeks to deepen its commitment to diverse narratives and cultural representation. Her role will encompass acquiring new artworks, organizing special exhibitions and gallery installations, producing scholarly publications, and hosting symposia. Additionally, she is tasked with fostering career development within the field of African and African diasporic art.
“This marks a new chapter for us,” said Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO of the PMA. “Imani’s passion and expertise will be instrumental in reimagining our future.”
Roach comes to the PMA from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where she contributed significantly to the Arts of Africa department. She holds a BA from Stanford University and an MA from Harvard University, where she also pursued doctoral research focusing on the photographic legacy of DRUM magazine during apartheid in South Africa.
Beyond her academic and curatorial achievements, Roach is deeply integrated into Philadelphia’s artistic community, contributing both as a vocalist and visual artist. Her work has been exhibited locally and nationally, underscoring her multifaceted engagement with the arts.
“I am humbled and energized by the work ahead,” Roach stated, recognizing the profound opportunity to shape the institution’s trajectory and its connection to Philadelphia.
Ira Brind lauded the establishment of the center and Roach’s leadership, envisioning it as a vibrant platform for curatorial voices and a nexus for community engagement. “The stories we tell through art matter,” Brind noted, emphasizing the center’s role in celebrating African and Afro-Diasporic Art’s significance within the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
With Roach at the helm, the Brind Center is poised to become a pivotal force in showcasing the diversity and vitality of African and African diasporic art, offering new perspectives and dialogues within the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the broader community.
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