Ellen Taubman

Ellen Taubman was born in Brooklyn.  A lifelong New Yorker, she has built a distinguished career at the forefront of the international art world. After earning a B.A. in Art History from City College, Ellen joined Sotheby’s where she served from 1974 to 1998 as Vice President and Senior Specialist in Indigenous, African, and Oceanic Art. Over more than two decades, she developed deep expertise in these fields, helping to shape their visibility and appreciation within the global market. Following her tenure at Sotheby’s, Ellen transitioned to independent curatorial work, advising private collectors and organizing exhibitions across the United States. Her curatorial vision found major expression during her years as Guest Curator at the Museum of Arts and Design from 1998 to 2014. There, she conceived and organized Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation, a landmark three-part exhibition series that traveled to museums throughout the U.S. and Canada and remains a significant contribution to the presentation of contemporary Indigenous art. She continued her curatorial work as Guest Curator at the Heard Museum from 2016 to 2019, further expanding her engagement with Indigenous art and artists. Ellen remains deeply involved in the cultural and academic life of the arts. She is a Trustee of the Brooklyn Museum and is active with the Vera List Center for Art and Politics, the Art Advisory Committee of Hunter College, and the Exhibitions Committee of the American Federation of Arts. She is also a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Association of Art Museum Curators, College Art Association, and International Council of Museums, reflecting her enduring commitment to the field.