5 Minutes With The Fotografiska Team
Fotografiska, Awards for Excellence in Institutional Development Finalist
Jenah Barry, Director of Retail & Experience, Fotografiska New York
Who has had the greatest influence on your career and what was the best advice he or she gave you?
I’ve been inspired by many people, from art teachers who encouraged creative play, to my mother who inspired me to dream, find beauty, and work hard. Undoubtedly, the most formative professional influence on my career has been the opportunity to be part of the founding leadership team of Fotografiska New York, and to build a vibrant cultural organization from the ground up. Rather than being inspired by an individual, the visionary collective leadership team of Fotografiska has lifted me up – from Founders, to Investors, to Directors, to Associates on the ground. We are a remarkable team of vanguards, each strong in our own right, yet simultaneously collective in our approach to being at the forefront of developing a sustainable cultural model. It has been exceptional to work within an intimate, innovative and collaborative team. I’ve always loved that the word curate has roots in the Latin word “cura” – which means care. I think the best advice that we give to each other daily is to care about the work that we do and the projects we curate. I like to think of the museum as a living, composite organism – composed of and sustained by the people who work at Fotografiska, the artists who share their creativity within its walls, and the guests who spend time with us. This is what inspires me, each and every day.
As a ULI NY Awards nominee, what makes you most proud of your project?
I am proud of our nimble, innovative, and entrepreneurial approach and our openness to new ideas, as we think about how a contemporary museum can be a vital space that builds creative community. Each of Fotografiska’s museums are located in a distinctive building in an urban neighborhood that provides fertile ground for creative community. Fotografiska is a constellation of remarkable venues each with a unique sense of place. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to collaboratively reimagine how a cultural venue can be a dynamic social space for people to gather, enjoy art – and enjoy life! We have a uniquely global perspective combined with local relevance and I passionately believe in our vision to inspire new perspectives towards a more conscious world. While this is a serious endeavor, it feels special that throughout our beautiful landmark building in the Flatiron, we celebrate art as a part of life, with JOY! We are open late every day of the week, with exciting programming and food and beverage offerings throughout the building, which brings life to the space. As a result, in contrast to the traditional “white cube”, we are a warm and welcoming cultural venue that attracts and engages diverse audiences. I am deeply proud of how we faced the challenges of the past few years with a positive, resilient, and creative outlook. We remained open to and supportive of our local community when many other spaces closed, and having emerged confidently from the pandemic, we continue to explore new ways to create meaningful connections, celebrate art and culture, and nurture creative community.
What is your favorite off the beaten path New York location or activity?
Something that I love about New York City is that while it is an intense, expansive, and dynamic urban environment, it offers moments of sanctuary. Fotografiska’s location has one foot uptown and one downtown, within easy reach of almost anywhere in the city. After a busy day in the heart of NYC, I escape to the woods uptown – Fort Tryon’s ancient forests, or Riverside and Riverdale Parks’ winding paths along the Hudson River are beautiful places to walk, relax and really understand Manhattan as an island. Walking allows my mind to meander, zoom out, connect to place, and find clarity. Early morning walks on NYC beaches are also a pleasure of mine, in tracing the perimeters of the city, I can reflect on it.