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Kansas City, MO 64111

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Kemper Museum is a free art museum in Kansas City, Missouri that presents global contemporary art.

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Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art acknowledges it resides on the ancestral territory of the Osage, Kaw, and Otoe-Missouria, among other tribal nations forcibly moved to the region such as the Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware, Potawatomi, Sac and Fox and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) nations. We recognize and support the continued vibrancy of Native communities and cultures today who continue to thrive, as well as the inherent sovereignty of tribal nations. We are compelled to serve and advocate for these communities in accordance with our public mission.

Kemper Museum acknowledges and respects the diversity of Native people connected to this land today. Many recognize the land and all beings who live within it as relatives. We acknowledge the earth we inhabit, the waters of the Blue River, the Kansas River, the Missouri River, and the plants, animals, and people supported by them. 

We acknowledge our responsibility to be good caretakers of the land we occupy. 

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Erin Dziedzic, director of curatorial affairs at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, announced she will leave the museum at the end of the year. Dziedzic has been curating groundbreaking exhibitions at Kemper Museum for 10 years.

She plans to pursue an independent curatorial practice, relocating to the Northeast.

Under Dziedzic's leadership, Kemper Museum has presented thought-provoking and impactful exhibitions, solidifying its reputation as a leading contemporary art institution in the Midwest. Recognizing the importance of representing diverse artistic voices, Dziedzic has prioritized showcasing artists from a range of backgrounds, identities, and perspectives—especially the influences of historically excluded women artists and artists of color.

She also has played a vital role in acquiring significant artworks to expand the museum's Permanent Collection, ensuring its long-term relevance, and setting a trajectory for adding objects by women artists and artists of color into the collection. Notable acquisitions include works by Polly Apfelbaum, Firelei Báez, Betty Blayton, Bisa Butler, Nick Cave, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Judy Chicago, Deborah Dancy, Natalie Frank, Rashid Johnson, Hung Liu, Joiri Minaya, Aliza Nisenbaum, Angel Otero, Amy Sherald, Elias Sime, Shinique Smith, Gilda Snowden, Summer Wheat, among many others.

“Erin joined the museum as curator in 2013, shortly after I stepped into my role as chair of the Board of Trustees and it has been a pleasure to watch her grow and thrive here,” said Mary Kemper Wolf. “Her authentic dedication to artistic excellence, inclusion, and innovation have left an indelible mark in the art world that extends far beyond Kansas City. My fellow trustees and the museum leadership and staff sincerely appreciate all she has done for Kemper Museum, and I’m personally very grateful for her many contributions. We wish her well in her next chapter and look forward to staying in touch.”

Dziedzic’s achievements include numerous “firsts” for Kemper Museum. She established The Atrium Project in 2016, an annual series of commissioned projects that presents the work of emerging and mid-career Hispanic and Latinx artists. In conjunction with The Atrium Project, Dziedzic launched the annual Kemper Block Party, which has introduced exhibitions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and interactive experiences to the museum community that foster engagement for broad audiences. Her ability to conceptualize cohesive narratives and select compelling works by artists across the globe has also resulted in the museum’s first grants from National Endowment for the Arts and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Dziedzic has actively engaged artists in the Kansas City community, organizingThe Center is a Moving Target,Charlotte Street AwardsandWomen to Watchexhibitions and public events.

Over her 10-year tenure, she directed and contributed scholarly essays for twelve exhibition catalogues and a 25thyear anniversary exhibition and permanent collection anthology, furthering critical discourse in the field of contemporary art.

“Erin’s remarkable tenure has spanned one-third of the life of Kemper Museum, which is still in the early stage of making its history,” said Bill Gautreaux, vice chair of the board. “Her efforts brought trajectory to our exhibitions, amplified the careers of many emerging and mid-career artists, and complemented the permanent collection by selecting acquisitions of many artists that we have exhibited. As a collector and trustee, I am grateful for our collaboration over the years. I know she will excel in the next phase of her career and our paths will continue to cross.”

“It has been an honor and joy to serve as director of curatorial affairs for Kemper Museum,” Dziedzic said. “I have had the opportunity to curate numerous projects, work with an incredible group of artists, and have been supported in those endeavors by the board of trustees, staff, and community, whose passion for art make this museum an essential mainstay for Kansas City. I am proud of the work we have done and am excited to see the ideas of this brilliant staff continue to shine.”

Dziedzic will continue to oversee the curatorial department in preparing and planning for upcoming exhibitions, working remotely, until December 31, 2023. A search for a new lead curator will commence with the hiring of Kemper Museum's next executive director, which is anticipated by year-end. 