One of the funniest experiences I had when I began working the art world is that people always assumed I worked for Thelma Golden, not that I was Thelma Golden. The kind of dismissal that comes from just people's sense that they don't imagine you are who you are actually has been one of the most powerful and liberating things for me in my work. 
-- Thelma GoldenAs a young child growing up in Queens, New York, Thelma Golden knew early in life she wanted to be a museum curator. She first learned of the role at age 12 when she read about the pioneering African-American woman curator, Lowery Sims, of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Golden had her first hands-on training as a senior in high school, training as a curatorial apprentice at the Metropolitan Museum.
In 1991, Thelma took a position at the Whitney Museum of American Art, one of the nation's premier art institutions. Golden used her position to open up the museum to previously under-represented artists including women and people of color. Her willingness to think outside the box and show artists that might not have been shown anywhere else helped put her on the national map.
Golden made her biggest splash in 1993 as one of four curators of the Whitney Biennial. The Biennial took a somewhat controversial look at America and tough social issues such as race, gender, sexuality, AIDS, and gay rights. The show caused a quite a commotion and it was no surprise that Golden caused another controversy just a few years later by staging Black Male: Representations of Masculinity in Contemporary American Art. 29 minority artists displayed works that illustrated the current conceptions of black masculinity.
Thelma remained at the Whitney until 1999, holding various positions throughout her tenure there. In 2000, she became the deputy director for exhibitions and programs and chief curator at the Studio Museum in Harlem. She was promoted to executive director and chief curator in 2005, the position she currently holds.
In 1991, Thelma took a position at the Whitney Museum of American Art, one of the nation's premier art institutions. Golden used her position to open up the museum to previously under-represented artists including women and people of color. Her willingness to think outside the box and show artists that might not have been shown anywhere else helped put her on the national map.
Golden made her biggest splash in 1993 as one of four curators of the Whitney Biennial. The Biennial took a somewhat controversial look at America and tough social issues such as race, gender, sexuality, AIDS, and gay rights. The show caused a quite a commotion and it was no surprise that Golden caused another controversy just a few years later by staging Black Male: Representations of Masculinity in Contemporary American Art. 29 minority artists displayed works that illustrated the current conceptions of black masculinity.
Thelma remained at the Whitney until 1999, holding various positions throughout her tenure there. In 2000, she became the deputy director for exhibitions and programs and chief curator at the Studio Museum in Harlem. She was promoted to executive director and chief curator in 2005, the position she currently holds.
