Kinshasha Holman Conwill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kinshasha Holman Conwill
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Conwill in 2006
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| Born | Karen Holman  11 April 1951 Atlanta (United States)
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| Occupation | Board member, writer |
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| Works | Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment |
| Spouse(s) | Houston Conwill |
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| Position held | museum director |
Kinshasha Holman Conwill, born on April 11, 1951, is an American expert in museums and arts. She has worked as a museum director, helped manage art projects, and written books. She also serves on the boards of many cultural groups in the United States.
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Early Life and Education
Kinshasha Holman Conwill was born in Atlanta on April 11, 1951. Her father, Moses Carl Holman, was an editor and writer. He was also an important person in the civil rights movement.
Kinshasha went to Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She was a National Achievement Scholar there. She then studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C., earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1973. In 1980, she received her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Career in Museums and Arts
While studying in Los Angeles, Conwill worked at the Hollyhock House. She taught art and organized activities there. After graduating in 1980, she became the Deputy Director at the Studio Museum in Harlem. She then became the Director from 1988 to 1999.
Leading the Studio Museum in Harlem
Conwill described how important the Studio Museum was for the Black community. She said it was a community center and a place for artists. It was also a spot for great conversations and new ideas. She felt it was a lively place that many people felt they owned.
She saw the museum as a center of life, not just in Harlem. It was also important for New York and the larger Black art world. During her time as director, the museum worked with many famous artists. These included Elizabeth Catlett, Miles Davis, and Glenn Ligon.
Conwill also planned and organized over 40 major art shows for the Studio Museum. Some of these shows traveled to other cities across the country.
Work in New York City's Cultural Scene
From 1999 to 2005, Conwill held several jobs in New York City's cultural field. She worked with groups like the American Association of Museums. She also worked at the National Museum of the American Indian.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 2005, Conwill became the Deputy Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum is located in Washington D.C.. Her job involved raising money for the museum. She also helped create partnerships with other groups.
She worked to grow the museum's collections and develop new exhibits. She also helped create programs for visitors. Conwill was an editor and writer for many of the museum's publications. In 2022, she announced her retirement from this role. She is now the Deputy Director Emerita.
Board Memberships
Conwill has also served on the boards of many important art and cultural groups. These include the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. She also served on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation.
Personal Life
Kinshasha Conwill was married to the artist Houston Conwill. They were married from 1971 until his passing in 2016.
