Having really amazing instructors who exposed me to so much theory and contemporary art criticism exploded my head in terms of what art can do and how it can reach out into broader society.

New York City-based artist Julia Rommel creates minimalist paintings that explore relationships between color and form through strong blocks of color and the stretching and manipulation of painted canvases. Rommel's recent exhibition at Bureau, New York was profiled by Artforum, and her painting Cool Topics was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2021.  

At AU, Rommel’s time experimenting in her studio built a solid foundation for her professional practice and an understanding of the dedication required for success as an artist. In her coursework, “We moved through the history of how so many artists think about making work, and that helped me move through my own failures and successes at making work.” Rommel also cites the program’s Visiting Artist Series as an essential part of her education, both in forming connections to the New York art world and for her exposure to successful artists who provided their critique and insights.  

Rommel is preparing for an exhibition in Oslo, Norway in fall 2022. “I’m trying to figure out how to add ‘surprises’ to each composition while staying really minimal,” all in the pursuit of joy in the painting process. 

My time at AU increased my understanding of both the business and artistic aspects of what it takes to successfully operate an arts organization.

As a master’s degree candidate at American University, Tiffany Townsend crafted a nonprofit prospect research and management plan as part of her Capstone Project. Now, she’s directly applying that knowledge to her current job as associate at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). 

At NMAAHC, Tiffany is working on the museum’s $350 million Living History Endowment Campaign, which runs through 2024. “My role is to find fundraising support for the campaign through prospect research, prospect management, and donor stewardship for individual donors and corporations. I am excited to help secure resources for the museum’s future!” During NMAAHC’s fourth Women’s E3 Summit (Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement), Tiffany was an integral part of the production team.

“What I loved most about AU was the caring professors who supported me during the completion of my master’s degree, along with the deep friendships I developed with several of my classmates.” looking forward, Tiffany says, “What I love most about my current job is collaborating with my fundraising colleagues around finding new ways to support a museum devoted to black history and culture, which I am deeply passionate about.”