Artist Statement: Revamp and Stand Out

Michelle Levy is an artist, cultural organizer, curator, and writer with nearly two decades of experience producing exhibitions and artist-centered programs for arts institutions in New York City. As a NYFA Coach, Levy advises artists of all disciplines on how to write about and present their work. She offers package sessions on artist and work statements, and can help you position yourself to find the right opportunities for your art career goals.

From 2008-2018, Levy was Founding Director of EFA Project Space, an experimental, cross-disciplinary exhibition program of the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA), where she supported the work of over 500 artists and independent curators. While at EFA, she also founded the “SHIFT” Residency for Arts Workers program which nurtures the creative practices of artists who work for the arts: a cause very close to her heart. Prior to EFA, Levy was Program Manager of International Print Center New York (IPCNY), running their New Prints Program and working alongside the Founder/Director during the pivotal first years (2000-2008).

In 2018, Levy stepped away from full-time institutional work to pursue a large-scale research and performance project abroad. Levy’s ever-evolving art practice combines media, storytelling, research, and performance. As an artist, she has presented work at venues including Abrons Art Center, Dixon Place, Flux Factory, La MaMa Galleria, Magnet Theater, and Spectacle (New York), Machine Project (Los Angeles), POLIN Museum (Warsaw), and Center and Foundation for Contemporary Art (Prague). She is a recent recipient of a New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Grant; Asylum Arts Sustaining Practice Grant; grants from the US Embassy, Warsaw, Poland and Asylum Arts. Levy has been an artist in residence at POLIN Museum (Warsaw), The Gowanus Studio Space and Chashama North, among others, and was a curator in residence at Meet Factory (Prague).

Levy has been a guest lecturer and panelist at universities and institutions for both her art and organizational practices, including American University, Carnegie Mellon, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, School of Visual Arts, Tyler School of the Arts, and others. She holds an MFA degree in Digital and Interdisciplinary Art Practice from The City College of New York, and a BA degree in Studio Art from Wesleyan University, CT.