The Curator Connecting Two Worlds: Cornelia Stokes Charts a Unique Path at SFMOMA and MoAD.
Cornelia Stokes, the newly appointed Assistant Curator of the Art of the African Diaspora at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), has taken on a monumental task. Her role requires her to bridge the two distinct institutions – SFMOMA and Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) – fostering collaboration, scholarship, and public engagement that supports long-term curatorial thinking.
In Stokes' new position, she finds herself as "connective tissue" between two worlds, bringing together MoAD's responsiveness and willingness to foreground lived experiences with SFMOMA's resources and global visibility. Rather than merging identities, Stokes envisions a collaboration that shares influence, knowledge, and resources without erasing cultural specificity.
Stokes' journey into this role began in 2023, when she discovered the job posting at Emblazon Arts LLC. Founded by Stokes herself to support artists and institutions outside traditional frameworks, the practice had taught her to be rigorous, responsive, and flexible. Her experience as a research assistant for artist Amy Sherald reinforced the importance of deep research, compassion, and patience in strong artistic practice.
Diversifying SFMOMA's collection poses significant challenges, including rethinking value, ownership, and art-historical narratives. Stokes is well aware that her work is part of an ongoing dialogue already underway. She plans to measure success by providing a framework for future curators to continue evolving beyond her tenure.
Stokes' three-year tenure will be marked by meaningful collaborations between SFMOMA and MoAD, published scholarship, and public programs reflecting the breadth of the African Diaspora. Her personal benchmark for success lies in supporting artists and colleagues in thoughtful, ethical, and generative ways, expanding possibilities for institutions, artists, and audiences alike.
As Stokes navigates this unique role, she embodies a commitment to creating a more inclusive art world – one that honors cultural specificity, values artistic vision, and fosters meaningful dialogue between diverse perspectives.
Cornelia Stokes, the newly appointed Assistant Curator of the Art of the African Diaspora at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), has taken on a monumental task. Her role requires her to bridge the two distinct institutions – SFMOMA and Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) – fostering collaboration, scholarship, and public engagement that supports long-term curatorial thinking.
In Stokes' new position, she finds herself as "connective tissue" between two worlds, bringing together MoAD's responsiveness and willingness to foreground lived experiences with SFMOMA's resources and global visibility. Rather than merging identities, Stokes envisions a collaboration that shares influence, knowledge, and resources without erasing cultural specificity.
Stokes' journey into this role began in 2023, when she discovered the job posting at Emblazon Arts LLC. Founded by Stokes herself to support artists and institutions outside traditional frameworks, the practice had taught her to be rigorous, responsive, and flexible. Her experience as a research assistant for artist Amy Sherald reinforced the importance of deep research, compassion, and patience in strong artistic practice.
Diversifying SFMOMA's collection poses significant challenges, including rethinking value, ownership, and art-historical narratives. Stokes is well aware that her work is part of an ongoing dialogue already underway. She plans to measure success by providing a framework for future curators to continue evolving beyond her tenure.
Stokes' three-year tenure will be marked by meaningful collaborations between SFMOMA and MoAD, published scholarship, and public programs reflecting the breadth of the African Diaspora. Her personal benchmark for success lies in supporting artists and colleagues in thoughtful, ethical, and generative ways, expanding possibilities for institutions, artists, and audiences alike.
As Stokes navigates this unique role, she embodies a commitment to creating a more inclusive art world – one that honors cultural specificity, values artistic vision, and fosters meaningful dialogue between diverse perspectives.
! She's like the ultimate connector, bringing together two worlds in a way that's all about respect and collaboration. I love how she's not trying to erase cultural specificity, but instead, wants to share influence, knowledge, and resources without losing those unique perspectives. It's all about creating a more inclusive art world where everyone feels seen and valued 
.
... it's so cool to see someone like Cornelia Stokes taking on this big role at SFMOMA and MoAD! 
The fact that she's not just about adding new pieces to the collection, but also about creating meaningful collaborations and public programs is what makes her approach so appealing. 
. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us over the next three years 
!
and I'm still trying to process everything 
. Like, have you ever tried matcha lattes? They're literally life-changing 
️! Anyway, I was reading about this curator Cornelia Stokes and she sounds like a total genius 
. But what really got me thinking is how important it is to preserve cultural specificity while still sharing knowledge and resources 
! SFMOMA and MoAD are lucky to have her at the helm, and I can already imagine some incredible collaborations and exhibitions coming out of this 