Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Williams.
Hi Keisha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Minnesota, grew up in Hopkins, and have always had a love of art and culture. I attended Northern Illinois University, where I double majored in Art History and Anthropology. After that, I studied abroad, spending about three years in the UK, attending the University of Leeds for a master’s in Art Gallery and Museum Studies and Richmond University in London for a master’s in Visual Arts Management and Curation. I loved my time in the UK. London will always be one of my favorite cities in the world.
After graduating, I returned to Minnesota to work at the Minneapolis Institute of Art for four years as the Curatorial Department Assistant and Artists Liaison in Contemporary Art. This was an exciting moment for me, as it set me on my chosen career path. My work there focused on supporting curators, artists, and programs. Some highlights included assisting with the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program (MAEP) and co-curating the exhibition “Mapping Black Identities” (2019-21).
I joined MCAD as the Director and Curator of Galleries and Exhibitions in 2022. In this role, I oversee the public-facing exhibitions in MCAD’s main and concourse galleries, as well as serve as the program director for two of Minnesota’s longstanding visual artists fellowships: the McKnight Fellowships for Visual Artists and the MCAD—Jerome Fellowships for Early Career Artists. Most recently, I curated “Peter Williams: Homegoing—A Call and Response “and the “2024/25 MCAD—Jerome Fellowship Exhibition”.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was lucky to find a lot of support and mentorship in both my pursuit of higher education and my career. I had professors who not only encouraged me but also pushed me to develop my own voice, interests, and passions for the work I now do. I had colleagues who became mentors and dear friends, and who were willing to collaborate, share visions, and create spaces we were proud of. I wouldn’t necessarily say the path has always been smooth, as there are many people who want to work in the arts and cultural sector, making jobs competitive, but I truly believe in the idea of alignment and that the right opportunities will come your way if you stay true to your values. I’ve been fortunate to build many meaningful connections through this work that will last a lifetime.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an arts administrator, a storyteller, an idea creator, and a connector. As the Director and Curator of the MCAD galleries, I wear many hats. I oversee the public exhibitions at MCAD, guiding them from a simple idea to a fully developed display. As the curator, I am responsible for creating thought-provoking and relevant spaces that enrich and expand ideas. I like to think of my curatorial work as storytelling. I invite artists and the audience to join me in exploring stories, ideas, and themes that are vital for our community.
I’m also the program director of two fellowship programs generously supported by the Jerome and McKnight Foundations. In this role, I support artists from the early stages of their careers and beyond. Through funding, exhibitions, learning experiences, critiques with visiting curators, and more, my goal is to support, amplify, and expand the work of these artists. It involves a lot of relationship building, listening, caring, planning, and creating space for artists to grow and thrive.
We’re a small team, but we’re nimble. I’m lucky to work alongside my colleague, Melanie Pankau, (Associate Coordinator, Galleries and Fellowship Programs), and a dedicated group of talented installers who help bring my vision to life.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My mom was always committed to ensuring that my sister and I had meaningful memories during our childhood. This was perhaps most evident during birthday parties. Each birthday had a theme, such as Spice Girls, Wheel of Fortune, Beanie Babies, Spa Day, and more. Things were rarely store-bought; they were lovingly handmade by my mom and her creatively minded friends. My mom was so dedicated to creating an enjoyable atmosphere for us. This was perhaps one of my earliest lessons in curation: that thoughtfully designed and personalized environments create more meaningful experiences. I definitely believe I’ve carried these lessons into my work. I’m passionate about creating exhibitions that leave a lasting impression on people’s memories and enrich our communities. Now, I get to share the spaces I create with my mom, so it’s really come full circle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcad.edu/campus-info/mcad-galleries
- Instagram: @hellokeishawilliams
