ATLANTA, GA.- Today, the High Museum of Art announced the appointment of Angelica Arbelaez as its assistant curator of modern and contemporary art. Most recently, Arbelaez served as the Rubio Butterfield Family fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art. She will join the museum on February 17 and work with Michael Rooks, the High’s Wieland Family senior curator of modern and contemporary art.

“Angelica is a wonderful addition to our curatorial team, bringing a strong foundation of experience in research, exhibition development and community-focused outreach,” said the High’s Director Rand Suffolk. “As our modern and contemporary collection continues to grow, both in scale and impact, her work will be essential to the department’s strategic expansion.”

Arbelaez will work to develop the modern and contemporary art department while helping to build the High’s collection through targeted acquisitions, grow its exhibition program and collaborate with colleagues on new scholarship and public programs. She will also contribute to building upon relationships with patrons and community stakeholders.

“This is an exciting moment for the High as we expand our expertise in modern and contemporary art,” said Rooks. “Angelica’s wealth of experience and passion for art and scholarship will help to enrich our offerings and community engagement, while expanding upon our goals of growth, inclusivity, collaboration and connectivity. I’m thrilled to welcome her to the High and look forward to the work ahead of us.”

In her fellowship at the Whitney Museum, Arbelaez co-curated the solo exhibition “Ilana Savdie: Radical Contradictions” (July 14-Nov. 5, 2023) and assisted with planning and research for the group exhibition “no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria” (Nov. 23, 2022-April 23, 2023). She contributed to the museum’s collection strategic plan by identifying acquisition priorities and conducting provenance research, and she was also a founding member of the Whitney’s Latinx Art, Artists, and Audiences Working Group, which strives to create inclusive museum experiences for Spanish-speaking audiences. Prior to starting her fellowship in 2021, she worked with Whitney curator Marcela Guerrero as part of a graduate mentorship.

Arbelaez has also held positions with the Hessel Museum of Art in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, and Oolite Arts’ residency program (formerly ArtCenter/South Florida) in Miami. She earned a master of arts degree from Bard College’s Center for Curatorial Studies and an undergraduate degree in art history from Florida International University.

“The High Museum of Art is a vital cultural pillar led by a mission that strongly aligns with the values I have fostered throughout my career,” said Arbelaez. “As the museum’s new assistant curator of modern and contemporary art, I look forward to working with my esteemed colleagues to champion artists and perspectives that resonate with communities from Atlanta and beyond.”