News on the curating front this morning: Tyler picked a director of exhibitions. Robert Blackson, American-born with lots of British and American curating experience, starts in January, according to Tyler spokesperson, Hester Stinnett. From their website:
The Tyler School of Art of Temple University is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Blackson as the Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs. Robert Stroker, Interim Dean announced the appointment today. “Rob has the ideas, energy and intellect required to expand the reach and creativity of our exhibition series and public programs. He brings to Tyler an impressive track record of truly innovative work. He will be a tremendous resource for our students and for the Philadelphia cultural community.”
“It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I join the team at Tyler,” said Blackson. “It is Tyler’s international reputation for excellence combined with its move and expansion into the heart of Temple University’s main campus that inspired my interest in Temple Gallery from 3,000 miles away. I look forward to working with students, faculty, and the entire Philadelphia community to continue developing the local relevance and international significance of Temple Gallery’s creative program.”
Shayna McConville, who served as the Interim Director will continue to work with the Exhibitions Program, especially in her role as Director of the North Philadelphia Arts and Culture Alliance. “Shayna did an outstanding job in the past months guiding the Exhibitions programs and working closely with our students. We thank Shayna for her willingness to serve as Interim Director and know that she is looking forward to returning to work on her projects for Tyler, ” explained Dean Robert Stroker.
Robert Blackson is a curator, writer, and artist who was previously curator of public programs at Nottingham Contemporary, UK. While at Nottingham Contemporary, the UK’s newest public contemporary art center welcoming over 200,000 visitors in its first eight months, Blackson worked with numerous universities, artists, and writers to develop an eclectic and discursive program of lectures, screenings, performances, and live events. Prior to joining Nottingham Contemporary, Blackson was curator of BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art, Newcastle/Gateshead, UK. Here at the UK’s largest non-collecting contemporary art gallery, Blackson developed exhibitions with numerous international artists including Sarah Sze, Shahryar Nashat, and Matt Stokes. Before moving to BALTIC, Blackson was curator at the University of Sunderland’s Reg Vardy Gallery. As curator of this university contemporary art gallery for over four years, Blackson initiated a public art program, international publishing house, and numerous solo exhibitions with artists such as Jimmie Durham, Minerva Cuevas, Christoph Büchel, Brian Chippendale, Julianne Swartz, Anthony McCall, Harry Smith, and Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian Tribe, Darryl Montana. Blackson has contributed to a variety of catalogues and publications, including Art Journal, Cabinet, and Labyrint, and he has lectured internationally on issues related to contemporary art practice. He is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and The Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College.
