Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art names Jessica S. Hong Chief Curator

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has announced the appointment of Jessica S. Hong as the museum’s new chief curator, effective December 30, 2024. Hong, currently senior curator of modern and contemporary art at the Toledo Museum of Art, brings nearly two decades of experience working with prestigious institutions such as Dartmouth’s Hood Museum of Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, and Harvard Art Museums.

Hong is known for her focus on underrecognized narratives and her efforts to bridge different cultural contexts through contemporary art. She has led significant exhibitions, including the U.S. premieres of works by artists like Stan Douglas and Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, and has overseen notable acquisitions by artists such as Pacita Abad, Kerry James Marshall, and Ana Mendieta.

At Kemper, Hong will work closely with Executive Director Jessica May to shape the museum’s curatorial vision. Her role includes leading key projects like the 2025 exhibition Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which will spotlight contemporary ceramics and feature a new commission by Raven Halfmoon.

Hong’s appointment comes as Kemper celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking a pivotal moment as the museum plans for a dynamic future in contemporary art.

Source: https://kemper.cdn.prismic.io/kemper/ZvqsL7VsGrYSwJJ5_KemperMuseumofContemporaryArtAnnouncesChiefCurator.pdf

Photo credit: Flanders Creative