Laura Fried is a Los Angeles-based curator and is a Co-Founder and Director of Active Cultures, a nonprofit organization that explores the convergence of food and art in contemporary life. Through collaborative projects by cooks and artists, Active Cultures' programming takes a multitude of forms such as performances, workshops, meals, and education initiatives. Throughout her career, Fried has advocated for artists and institutions while pushing forward new models for engagement and exhibition-making. She recently served as founding Artistic Director of the Seattle Art Fair, for which she organized a comprehensive program of large-scale installations, performances, talks, and projects. Fried was previously on the curatorial staff of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams, MA, as well as a curator at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Fried received her MA in the History of Art from Williams College and the Clark Art Institute.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- Laura’s journey in curation
- Working within non-profit organizations
- The convergence of food and art
- Collaboration
- Unique opportunities that are provided through the community
- Laura’s work with her business partner
- Laura’s advocation for artists and institutions
- The innovation of the exhibition
- The interconnected nature of art and food
- The beginnings of “The MSG Club”
- Future endeavors of Active Cultures in the midst of COVID-19