A Minimal Future?: Art as Object 1958–1968
The clearest entry point to Goldstein’s major scholarly and curatorial writing on modern art.
Author guide
Ann Goldstein Books in Order
Ann Goldstein (born 1957) is an American curator, museum director, editor, and writer specializing in modern and contemporary art. She worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, from 1983 to 2009, served as director of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam from 2010 to 2013, and joined the Art Institute of Chicago in 2016 as deputy director, chair, and curator of modern and contemporary art. Her publications include major exhibition catalogues and scholarly books on conceptual art, minimalism, and artists including Barbara Kruger, Cosima von Bonin, Martin Kippenberger, Lawrence Weiner, William Leavitt, and the Hairy Who.
art criticismmodern artcontemporary artexhibition cataloguescuratorial writing
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Hairy Who? 1966–1969
A representative later catalogue demonstrating her editorial work on an influential contemporary art movement.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Edited works (4)
- A Minimal Future?: Art as Object 1958–1968
authored-and-edited-exhibition-catalogue · 2004
- Lawrence Weiner: As Far as the Eye Can See, 1960–2007
co-edited-exhibition-catalogue · 2007
- Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective
edited-exhibition-catalogue · 2008
- Hairy Who? 1966–1969
co-edited-exhibition-catalogue · 2018
Collaborations (5)
- A Forest of Signs: Art in the Crisis of Representation
co-authored-exhibition-catalogue · 1989
- Reconsidering the Object of Art: 1965–1975
co-authored-exhibition-catalogue · 1995
- Jorge Pardo
co-authored-exhibition-catalogue · 1997
- This Is Not to Be Looked At: Highlights from the Permanent Collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
co-authored-collection-catalogue · 2008
- William Leavitt: Theater Objects
co-authored-exhibition-catalogue · 2011
Other (2)
- Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You
authored-exhibition-catalogue · 1999
- Cosima Von Bonin: Roger and Out
authored-exhibition-catalogue · 2007
Frequently asked questions about Ann Goldstein
Who is Ann Goldstein?
Ann Goldstein is an American curator and museum leader specializing in modern and contemporary art. Her career has included senior curatorial and directorial roles in the United States and Europe.
Source: artic.edu (opens in a new tab)
What is Ann Goldstein’s educational background?
Goldstein earned a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Studio Art from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Source: artic.edu (opens in a new tab)
What is Ann Goldstein known for as a curator?
She is particularly known for her expertise in Minimal and Conceptual art of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as contemporary artistic practices. Her curatorial work has combined historical scholarship with ambitious museum exhibitions.
Sources: artic.edu (opens in a new tab)getty.edu (opens in a new tab)
Which museums has Ann Goldstein worked for or led?
Goldstein worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, from 1983 to 2009 and served as director of Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum from 2010 to 2013. In 2016, she joined the Art Institute of Chicago as deputy director and chair and curator of modern and contemporary art; MOCA later appointed her interim director beginning in August 2025.
Sources: artic.edu (opens in a new tab)moca.org (opens in a new tab)
What awards has Ann Goldstein received, and what is her curatorial legacy?
In 2012, she received the Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College. Her legacy includes influential museum leadership and major exhibitions that helped contextualize Minimal and Conceptual art for broad audiences.
Sources: ccs.bard.edu (opens in a new tab)artic.edu (opens in a new tab)