What the Director of NMWA, the World's First Museum Dedicated to Women Artists, Says About the Art World Ecosystem
The director of NMWA discusses gender equality and the current state of women artists in the art world.Summary
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., founded by Wilhelmina Holladay in 1987, is the world's first major museum dedicated exclusively to works by women artists. Director Susan Fisher Sterling, who has served for 18 years, notes that while perceptions of women artists have evolved, women still comprise only 40% of all artists globally. She emphasizes that achieving parity cannot rely on a few representative examples like Yayoi Kusama—sustained, daily efforts to introduce women artists are essential. The museum functions not only as a gallery but also as a "megaphone" advocating for women's artistic activities. Sterling stresses the need for further reevaluation of both historical and contemporary women artists, expressing pride in standing at the forefront of changing the art world's ecosystem. After major renovations, the museum reopened in 2023, reinforcing its importance.
(Source：朝日新聞)