at home: Paul Mellon Lectures
Established in 1994, this lecture series was named in honor of Paul Mellon (Yale College Class of 1929), the philanthropist, art collector, and founder of both the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) in New Haven and the Paul Mellon Centre for British Art Studies (PMC) in London. Coorganized by the two institutions, the biennial lectures were traditionally delivered in person by a specialist in British art at the both the National Gallery in London and the Yale Center for British Art.
This year’s series, entitled The Museum and Gallery Today, is exclusively online and features individual talks from some of the world’s most distinguished museum and gallery directors. The lectures are presented as free live webinars.
About this program
Construction is currently underway for the Studio Museum in Harlem’s new home on West 125th Street. Designed expressly for the institution, the new building will allow the museum to better serve its growing audiences. Director and Chief Curator Thelma Golden will review the history of the Studio Museum, from its founding in 1968 to the present day, and its catalytic role in promoting artists of African descent. She will explore the ways that art can influence and advance meaningful cultural change as well as the necessity for museums to serve as a bridge between artists and a diverse public.
About Thelma Golden
Thelma Golden is Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, the world’s leading institution devoted to visual art by artists of African descent. Golden began her career as a Studio Museum intern in 1987. In 1988, she joined the Whitney Museum of American Art, where she launched her influential curatorial practice. In 2000, Golden returned to the Studio Museum as Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Programs, working closely with Director Lowery Stokes Sims. She succeeded Dr. Sims as Director in 2005. Under her leadership, the Studio Museum has gained increased renown as a global leader in the exhibition of contemporary art, a center for innovative education, and a cultural anchor in the Harlem community.
