An Open Conversation with Kendal Henry

Kendal Henry is an artist and curator who lives in New York City and specializes in the field of public art for over twenty-five years. He illustrates that public art can be used as a tool for social engagement, civic pride and economic development through the projects and programs he’s initiated in the US, Europe, Russia, Asia, Central Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Caribbean.

Kendal believes that the most successful public artworks start with the question, “What is the artwork to achieve?” and takes into account the audience and surrounding environment in the creation of that artwork.

For the past seven years he has served the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs both as Assistant Commissioner of Public Art and Director of the Percent for Art Program. He is an adjunct professor at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. He is a guest lecturer at various universities and educational institutions including the Abbey Mural Workshop at the National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts; Rhode Island School of Design Senior Studio; and Pratt Institute’s Arts and Cultural Management Program. Kendal served as the Director of Culture and Economic Development for the City of Newburgh, NY where he created the region’s first Percent for Art Program. Prior to that post he was Manager of Arts Programs at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Arts for Transit for eleven years. During this time, he has overseen the commissioning, fabrication and installation of MTA’s permanent art projects, served as a member of the MTA’s in-house design team, and produced temporary exhibitions at Grand Central Terminal.

Previous to this experience he served as a Project Manager at the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program. Kendal was also elected to serve two 3-year terms on the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Council.

Speaker Bio
Kendal Henry is an artist and curator who lives in New York City and specializes in the field of public art for over twenty-five years. He illustrates that public art can be used as a tool for social engagement, civic pride and economic development through the projects and programs he’s initiated in the US, Europe, Russia, Asia, Central Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Caribbean. Kendal believes that the most successful public artworks start with the question, “What is the artwork to achieve?” and takes into account the audience and surrounding environment in the creation of that artwork. For the past seven years he has served the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs both as Assistant Commissioner of Public Art and Director of the Percent for Art Program. He is an adjunct professor at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. He is a guest lecturer at various universities and educational institutions including the Abbey Mural Workshop at the National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts; Rhode Island School of Design Senior Studio; and Pratt Institute’s Arts and Cultural Management Program. Kendal served as the Director of Culture and Economic Development for the City of Newburgh, NY where he created the region’s first Percent for Art Program. Prior to that post he was Manager of Arts Programs at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Arts for Transit for eleven years. During this time, he has overseen the commissioning, fabrication and installation of MTA’s permanent art projects, served as a member of the MTA’s in-house design team, and produced temporary exhibitions at Grand Central Terminal. Previous to this experience he served as a Project Manager at the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program. Kendal was also elected to serve two 3-year terms on the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Council.

Jenna Coplin is the Academic Program Manager for the MA in Museum Studies and the MS in Research Administration and Compliance programs. She joins us from the CUNY Central Office where she supported environmental, health, safety and risk management. Prior to that, Jenna worked as an archaeologist on historic sites in New York and pre-contact sites in Florida and Belize. She has served as an adjunct lecturer at City College and Queens College, and taught at Hofstra University. Jenna holds Master of Arts degrees from the CUNY Graduate Center and the University of Florida, and an MBA from Fordham University.

Speaker Bio
Jenna Coplin is the Academic Program Manager for the MA in Museum Studies and the MS in Research Administration and Compliance programs. She joins us from the CUNY Central Office where she supported environmental, health, safety and risk management. Prior to that, Jenna worked as an archaeologist on historic sites in New York and pre-contact sites in Florida and Belize. She has served as an adjunct lecturer at City College and Queens College, and taught at Hofstra University. Jenna holds Master of Arts degrees from the CUNY Graduate Center and the University of Florida, and an MBA from Fordham University.

Speaker

Moderator