Johanne Affricot Appointed Curator-at-Large at the American Academy in Rome

In a recent development, Johanne Affricot, the founder and artistic director of GRIOTmag and SPAZIO GRIOT, based in Rome, has taken on an exciting new role as curator-at-large at the American Academy in Rome (AAR). This appointment, effective since October 2023, marks an important step in her career. Affricot is set to collaborate with Andrew Heiskell Arts Director Ilaria Puri Purini in curating public exhibitions and other arts programming at the prestigious institution.

The American Academy in Rome: A Hub of Art and Scholarship

Situated on the picturesque Janiculum Hill, overlooking the magnificent city of Rome, the American Academy in Rome is renowned as a leading center for independent study and advanced research in the arts and humanities. With an illustrious history spanning 130 years, the Academy has provided invaluable support, time, and a stimulating environment to numerous gifted artists and scholars. It has also served as a welcoming home for visiting U.S. scholars and artists who have been honored with the Rome Prize, awarded to approximately 30 artists and scholars every year.

Johanne Affricot: A Creative Force

Johanne Affricot, an independent curator and cultural producer, is deeply committed to the concept of creative spaces as regenerative forces that foster the cultivation and dissemination of strategies and practices of radical imagination with profound cultural and social impact. Some of her recent projects include:

• Il Mio Filippino: For Those Who Care To See (Mattatoio, Rome, 2023): A solo exhibition that captivated audiences with its unique perspective and artistic expression.
• Sediments. After Memory (Mattatoio, Rome, 2022): A thought-provoking group show and public program that explored the depths of memory and its impact.
• Chef Binta. Reframing Traditions (Museo delle Civiltà, Rome, 2022): A discourse-focused program that delved into reimagining traditions and their significance in our evolving world.

Affricot, who also works as an independent researcher, holds an MA in innovation and development from La Sapienza, Università di Roma. Her contributions extend to co-editing the limited-edition poetry collection “Rage & Desire” (SPAZIO GRIOT, British Council) and the publication “Exercises for the Imagination of a Space” (SPAZIO GRIOT, Palazzo Esposizioni Roma) in 2022.

A Multifaceted Role

In addition to her role as curator-at-large at the American Academy in Rome, Johanne Affricot will continue to serve as the artistic director at SPAZIO GRIOT. This dual role showcases her commitment to both nurturing emerging talent in the art world and expanding her horizons on the international stage.

Johanne Affricot’s journey as an influential figure in the world of art and culture promises to reach new heights with her recent appointment at the American Academy in Rome. Her dedication to promoting radical imagination and her innovative approach to cultural projects continue to make a significant impact, both in Rome and on the global stage. We eagerly await the exciting exhibitions and programming that will result from this collaboration between Affricot and the American Academy in Rome.