Great exhibitions don’t just happen — they are shaped by talented curators who bring artists, ideas, and communities together. Thanks to support from The Library Foundation, four emerging curators are now better equipped to do just that.
The Emerging Curator Fellowship, co-presented by _OFCOLOR and Austin Public Library, gave Paola Ward, Cathy Le, Asami Robledo-Allen Yamamoto, and Corri Greene seven months of paid, hands-on professional training to develop original exhibitions and build sustainable careers in the arts.
Each fellow received a stipend, one-on-one mentorship from experienced curators, and more than 100 hours of intensive training with Austin Public Library’s Exhibit Coordinator. Along the way, they learned the practical skills behind creating exhibitions—from installation and interpretation to audience engagement and collaboration.
Their work also strengthened Austin Public Library. The fellows translated exhibition materials into Spanish to improve accessibility, refined exhibition resources for artists, documented exhibitions through photography, created visitor guides, and led public art tours that introduced community members to the Library’s growing art collection. They also supported community artmaking programs that engaged more than 100 participants.
The fellowship culminated in “Where Memory Becomes Land,” a collaborative exhibition featuring the work of ten Texas artists — a celebration of the fellows’ collective vision and the voices they helped elevate.
For fellow Paola Ward, the experience changed how she sees the role of a curator. “This fellowship transformed the way I think about curating, not just as organizing exhibitions, but as creating spaces for dialogue, connection, and representation.”
Cathy Le said the fellowship revealed “the care, communication, and collaboration that go into creating an exhibition,” while Asami Robledo-Allen Yamamoto described curation as “a powerful force for liberation, hope, and healing.” Corri Greene reflected that the experience showed her how public libraries can make contemporary art more welcoming and accessible to everyone.
The partnership behind the fellowship has been just as meaningful. “_OFCOLOR has always worked to create opportunities for artists,” said Steven Hatchett, Co-founder of _OFCOLOR. “This partnership with Austin Public Library and The Library Foundation has shown what is possible when public institutions and community organizations invest in people.”
RuDi Dizer, Founder of _OFCOLOR, agrees. “Watching the development of these emerging curators in real time has been one of the most rewarding parts of this collaboration.”
At The Library Foundation, we believe libraries are places where creativity flourishes and future leaders are nurtured. By investing in the Emerging Curator Fellowship, our donors are helping build a stronger, more inclusive arts community for Austin — one that will continue to shape our city’s cultural future for years to come.
