The Metropolitan Museum of Art Presents 21st Annual Women & the Critical Eye Program

(New York, April 14, 2026)—On April 15, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host its annual Women & the Critical Eye program, a speaker series that fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of works of art through the lens of expert women collectors, connoisseurs, artists, and cultural professionals. This year’s conversation between artists Nicole Eisenman, Danielle Mckinney, and Kay WalkingStick—whose works are represented in The Met collection—will reflect on the experience of motherhood in artistic practice and will be moderated by Jane Panetta, The Met's Aaron I. Fleischman Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art Department. The program highlights the Museum's commitment to contemporary art and artists, as it prepares to open the Tang Wing for holdings of 20th- and 21st-century art in 2030.

This year’s program marks the first under the chairmanship of Met Trustee Janice Y.K. Lee. Lee succeeds the distinguished leadership of founding host committee member and Museum Trustee Lulu C. Wang, with whom she co-chaired the event last year. The event is free and open to the public and will take place in The Met’s Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium followed by a reception in the Temple of Dendur. A portion of the proceeds raised from the event will support the Museum's acquisition of works by women artists.

Women & the Critical Eye is made possible with support from SK ∙ PODO Museum. The 2026 program marks the inaugural year of a three-year sponsorship of the program by a global business group and cultural institution based in South Korea.

“The Met’s Women & the Critical Eye series has long convened leading artists and scholars in dialogue to examine the creative sector, and we are thrilled to welcome this accomplished group of women to take the stage and uplift important perspectives,” said Max Hollein, The Met’s Director and CEO. “We are grateful for the support of SK and PODO Museum to champion this impactful program.”

“We are honored to partner with The Met on Women & the Critical Eye," said Chloe H. Kim, Executive Director of PODO Museum. "We remain steadfast in our mission to amplify the voices of women in the arts who redefine contemporary culture and pioneer new horizons of creativity and mutual understanding.”

About Women & the Critical Eye
Since 2001, The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Women & the Critical Eye committee has sought to support the deeper understanding and appreciation of works of art through the organization of an annual program featuring expert women collectors, connoisseurs, artists, and cultural professionals. In recent years, the program has engaged new and longtime friends to share insights into important areas of The Met’s collection, including Judy Glickman Lauder, Sophia Cohen and Venus Williams, Musa Guston Mayer, Frida Escobedo, and Wangechi Mutu.

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April 14, 2026

Contact:
Communications@metmuseum.org