B.A., Religion with a concentration in Africana Studies. 2018
Professional Experience
Program Coordinator, New Arts Justice, Newark, NJ | 2019–Present
Manages programming, events, and exhibitions (both in-person and virtual), including artist talks, community gatherings, performances, lectures, and local art installations. Liaises with artists, curators, vendors, and partners. Manages efficient and accurate maintenance, review, and monitoring of budget, expenses, grants, invoices, payroll, and purchasing. Conducts research and writes on topics: socially engaged art, monuments, black girlhood, Newark, and social issues and movements.
Assistant Curator, Monument Lab, Philadelphia, PA | 2019—Present
Engages in writing and research by collecting proposals of monuments and facilitating community conversations centering public art. Moderates Panels and Discussions regarding monuments, public art, history, and civic engagement. Consults with Director and Team about Exhibitions, Projects, and Programming for the organization including partnerships with universities, schools, community art groups, and activists.
Community Outreach Coordinator, The Wight Foundation, Inc. Newark, NJ | 2018–2019
Rebranded media platforms and connected with partners and organizations to provide enrichment opportunities for high school scholars. Managed marketing operations and design materials including information sheets, mailings, transit advertisement, and digital campaigns. Constructed Internal Access Portal and Communications System for organization-wide use.
Gallery Assistant, Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, Haverford, PA | 2017
Supported Visiting Artists with the duration and programming of their exhibits. Aid with the installation, de-installation, advertising, and programming for exhibits. Served as a docent and assist visitors with the navigation of exhibits and information about featured pieces.
Scholarly and Professional Publications
Reports
Allen, A., Tillet, S., Tillet, S., Gipson, L., and Owusu, M. “Black Girls During the Pandemic and Protest.” A Long Walk Home. 2020. https://www.alongwalkhome.org/covid-19-report
Allen, Alliyah. “#blackgirlmagic: An Ongoing Spiritual Practice of Love and Care.” Haverford College Religion Department. 2018.
Articles
Allen, Alliyah. “Carrying the Stories Home: A Reflection on Marisa Williamson’s Sweet Chariot the Long Journey to Freedom.” Monument Lab: Creative Speculations for Philadelphia. Temple University Press. 2019.
Exhibition Catalogues
Allen, Alliyah and Diallo, Nene Aïssatou, eds. Land: Reflections on Space and Power. Newark, NJ. LAND Collective and Project for Empty Space. 2020.
Allen, Alliyah. “Gatekeepers of Peace” from A Call to Peace Catalogue. Newark, NJ: New Arts Justice and Monument Lab. 2019.
Allen, Alliyah. “Finding Home in Public Space” from Monument Lab Newspaper. Philadelphia, PA: Monument Lab. 2017.
Allen, Alliyah. “Keywords on Division: Accountability” from The Wall in Our Heads Exhibition Catalogue. Haverford, PA: Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery. 2015.
Exhibitions
“Picturing Black Girlhood: A Moment of Becoming,” Paul Robeson Gallery, Rutgers University--Newark, Newark, NJ, Assistant Curator, 2/12/2022–7/1/2022. Upcoming.
“Will You Be My Monument,” New Arts Justice, Four Corners Public Arts, Newark, NJ, Project Manager, 12/2020–6/2021.
“A Call to Peace,” New Arts Justice, Monument Lab, Newark, NJ, Assistant Curator, 10/2019–11/2019.
“SHINE,” Visual Culture, Arts and Media (VCAM) Create Space, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, Artist and Curator 12/2018–3/2019.
“Exhibiting Africa: Ways of Seeing, Knowing, and Showing,” Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, Student Curator, 1/2017–3/2017.
Conferences/Presentations
Conference Coordinator, “Black Portraiture[s] VII: Play and Performance” Rutgers University—Newark, February 17-19, 2022.
Presenter, “Day of Service: Art & Activism Workshop” Solebury School, Virtual, May 19, 2021.
Keynote Speaker, “#BlackGirlMagic: An Ongoing Spiritual Practice of Love and Care” Paper presented at the #BlackGirlMagic Conference, Harvard’s Women Law Association, Virtual, November 13, 2020.
Co-Presenter, “The Power of Collaboration: Group Ethos & Support Structures.” Paul Robeson Galleries and Newark Artist Database, Virtual, November 11, 2020.
Moderator, “(Un)Making Monuments.” Panel Discussion with Marissa Williamson and Kaitlin Pomerantz, The Print Center, Virtual, November 5, 2020.
Panelist, “Monument Lab Roundtable.” Los Angeles City Hall’s Civic Memory Working Group, Virtual, October 27, 2020.
Invited Speaker, “Art & Activism” Haverford College Young Creative Alumni Series, Virtual, September 21, 2020.
Panelist, “Monument Lab Think Tank.” The High Line, New York, NY, October 12, 2019.
Class Speaker, “The Power of Friendship.” Haverford College Commencement Address, Haverford, PA, May 12, 2018.
Presenter, “Closing the Gap: Inspiring Kids to Work Hard & Achieve Greatness”, TEDx Conference, Solebury School, New Hope, PA, May 12, 2013.
Professional Activities/Service
Black Portraiture[s] VII: Play and Performance, Rutgers University—Newark, Advisory Committee (2021-2022)
Monument Lab: Philadelphia (Citywide Exhibition), Advisory Committee (2017)
Project Management Intern, Village of Arts and Humanities in Philadelphia (2016)
Task Force on Community and Diversity led by President Daniel Weiss, Haverford College (2014-2016)
Grants/Awards
Creative Catalyst Grant, The City of Newark, 2021
Third Space Grant, Express Newark, 2019
Computer and Technical Skills
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Keynote, Social Media Marketing, Asana, CMS-Web Design
References
References available upon request.