The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) has responded after facing criticism for its decision to hire a white woman as a curator of African art.
Amanda M. Maples was named as the museum’s curator of African art last week. However, the move to employ a white person instead of a Black curator in this role sparked outrage across social media platforms.
In a statement, the New Orleans Museum of Art said it is “listening closely to feedback from New Orleans residents and the public on the appointment”.
It said it recognises the need for its staff and “the museum field at large to represent a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives”. “We take this priority very seriously for positions throughout the institution,” it added.
“The search to fill this post was conducted with guidance from a national consulting firm that specializes in searches in the arts,” the museum said.
According to the museum, Maples was selected due to her “academic experience combined with her sustained relationships with organizations and artists in Africa, her work organizing groundbreaking exhibitions, and her leadership in addressing decoloniality and restitution”.
NOMA added, “We are committed to taking this moment to learn and take action. In the immediate future, we will host a town hall to openly discuss race and equity within museums.
“We recognize that listening is only a small part of honoring our commitment to being an inclusive and anti-racist institution.”
Museum says it is “listening closely to feedback”
In a press release announcing Maples’ appointment, the New Orleans Museum of Art said she will oversee its collection of African art.
Maples previously served as a curator of global African arts at the North Carolina Museum of Art. She has also curated exhibitions and written on historical and contemporary African arts, decoloniality, museum policies, collecting practices and restitution.
NOMA director Susan Taylor said Maples “has distinguished herself in the field through her commitment to both the interpretation of historical objects and her expert collaboration with contemporary artists and curators working in Africa today”.
In the release, Maples said she is considering “how to fill historical gaps in the museum’s extensive collection to tell the fullest story of African art possible and how NOMA can highlight the work of contemporary artists in Africa”.
Lead image credit: 2nd Story Creative
