Effective July 13, Michelle Millar Fisher will take the helm as Chief Curator of Cooper Hewitt, overseeing a permanent collection of over 215,000 objects and five curatorial departments, according to The Architect’s Newspaper and Cooperhewitt.
A new leader is stepping into a role with immense institutional history, but is expected to forge a distinct path forward for design curation.
Therefore, Cooper Hewitt's upcoming exhibitions and acquisitions are likely to reflect a blend of established institutional values and Fisher's distinct curatorial vision.
The Chief Curator's Mandate
As Chief Curator, Fisher will lead Cooper Hewitt’s five curatorial departments and conservation team, stewarding a permanent collection of over 215,000 objects, according to Cooperhewitt. This role extends beyond mere oversight; it demands a visionary approach to how these extensive holdings are presented and interpreted, fundamentally shaping public engagement with design history.
A Quarter-Century Shift
Fisher succeeds Matilda McQuaid, who retires after 24 years at the museum, reports Hyperallergic. This transition marks the end of a long and influential era. Fisher is not merely filling a vacancy; she is tasked with re-energizing a curatorial vision largely consistent for a quarter-century, a significant challenge for any new leader aiming to redefine the museum's public face.
The Smithsonian Context
Fisher's appointment as chief curator at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as noted by Hyperallergic, elevates her role to one of national significance. Her leadership will not only shape the museum's internal direction but also influence the broader discourse on design within a prominent national institution, potentially setting new standards for how design is perceived across the country.
Future Curatorial Trajectories
The leadership transition will inevitably influence Cooper Hewitt's exhibition programming and collection development, as Archpaper notes. With over 215,000 objects under her purview, Fisher's success will depend less on new acquisitions and more on her ability to reinterpret and activate the existing collection for contemporary design discourse. This shift from a long-standing curatorial lead suggests Cooper Hewitt is poised for a deliberate re-evaluation of 'design' in the 21st century, potentially signaling a more adventurous and critically engaged exhibition strategy.
Fisher's Curatorial Vision
Michelle Millar Fisher brings a background rooted in contemporary and socially engaged design. Her previous curatorial roles emphasized interdisciplinary approaches, exploring themes of labor, technology, and social impact within design. Fisher's practice involves re-contextualizing established design narratives and activating collections through contemporary lenses, prioritizing inclusive storytelling and the intersection of design with broader cultural issues. This approach suggests a focus on making design history relevant to current public discourse, potentially challenging traditional exhibition formats.
If Fisher successfully reinterprets Cooper Hewitt's vast collection through her lens of contemporary and socially engaged design, the museum appears likely to solidify its position as a vital voice in global design discourse.
