The Most Famous Curator, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the curator you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 19, 2024 08:06

In the world of art and exhibitions, the influence of a curator is often as significant as the pieces they choose to display. These cultural stewards shape our understanding and appreciation of art, steering public interest and academic dialogues through their visionary selections and thematic storytelling. Acknowledging the impact of these curatorial minds, it's insightful to see who stands out in the global community. Your votes help highlight the most respected and innovative curators working today. By participating, you contribute to a collective assessment, celebrating those who redefine our artistic landscapes.

Who Is the Most Famous Curator?

1

57
votes

Neil MacGregor

He is a British art historian and was the director of the British Museum from 2002 to 2015. He is known for his successful exhibitions and his work in expanding the museum's collection.
2

31
votes

Kimcordova · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hans-Ulrich Obrist

He is a Swiss curator and art critic. He is known for his innovative and experimental exhibitions and has been described as one of the most influential curators of contemporary art.
3

20
votes

Andrew Russeth from New York, New York · CC BY-SA 2.0

Okwui Enwezor

He was a Nigerian art historian and curator who was known for his work on contemporary African art. He curated the Venice Biennale in 2015, becoming the first African to do so.
4

14
votes

Thelma Golden

She is an American curator and writer who is known for her work on contemporary African American art. She is the director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem.
5

19
votes

Meutia Chaerani / Indradi Soemardjan http://www.indrani.net · CC BY 2.5

Glenn D. Lowry

He is the director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and has been in the position since 1995. He is known for his work on contemporary art and expanding the museum's collection.
6

10
votes

Nicholas Serota

He is a British curator and art historian who was the director of the Tate galleries from 1988 to 2017. He is known for his work on contemporary art and his efforts to make art accessible to a wider audience.
7

9
votes

Jessica Morgan

She is a British curator and art historian who is the director of the Dia Art Foundation in New York City. She is known for her work on contemporary art and has curated exhibitions at the Tate Modern and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
8

6
votes

Hafenbar · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev

She is an American curator and writer who was the artistic director of the 2012 Documenta exhibition in Kassel, Germany. She is known for her work on contemporary art and her interest in the intersection between art and science.
9

10
votes

Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0

Kasper König

He is a German curator who has been involved in numerous international exhibitions, including the Documenta and the Venice Biennale. He is known for his work on contemporary art and his efforts to promote young artists.
10

6
votes

Maria Balshaw

She is a British art historian and curator who is the director of Tate galleries. She is known for her work on contemporary art and her efforts to make art accessible to a wider audience.

Missing your favorite curator?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous curator

Curatorial experience

The number of exhibitions curated by the individual, as well as the scope and importance of those exhibitions.
Societal impact

The impact the curator has had on society, and how they have influenced the art world.
Education and credentials

The individual's educational background and credentials, such as degrees in art history or curatorial studies.
Recognition and awards

Any recognition, accolades, or awards the curator has received from their peers, institutions, or other sources.
Innovativeness

The ability of the curator to push boundaries and bring fresh ideas to the art world.
Public outreach

The extent to which the curator has engaged with the public, through talks, lectures, social media, and other means of communication.
Collection management

The ability of the curator to manage and maintain the collections under their care.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous curator. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Curator is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1530 views
181 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Curator once every 24 hours. The rank of each Curator is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous curator

Curators are professionals who work in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. They are responsible for researching, acquiring, and preserving works of art and artifacts, as well as organizing exhibitions and events. Over the years, many curators have become well-known figures in the art world, thanks to their expertise and passion for their work. From the legendary Peggy Guggenheim to the contemporary superstar Hans-Ulrich Obrist, there are countless curators who have left their mark on the cultural landscape. In this article, we will explore the question of who is the most famous curator, and examine the contributions of some of the most influential figures in the field.