New Artists, New Audiences

New Artists, New Audiences

Darryl Dwayne Walker

Manager of Community Engagement, Newark Museum of Art

Darryl originally moved to Newark to further his career as a performing artist. With his background in performing, dance and choreography, his goal was to work in TV and film. In 2012, he was hired by the museum for a summer contract as a performing arts educator who could connect the artwork in their gallery spaces to imaginative musical performances. He was so successful that at the end of the summer, the Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) extended his contract, then eventually offered him a full-time position which led to him becoming the first Manager of Community Engagement. 

NMOA created the position because they wanted to better serve the people of Newark and authentically showcase artists and programming that built community. Darryl welcomed the opportunity to show the next generation of artists that their voice is their power. He promised himself when he could create space for black and brown artists, he would do that. That has been a primary goal for his work at the museum. 

His artistic background and engaging personality make him a natural for building community among artists. He is excited about building a community-centric space, partnering with living artists of color from the community and putting their work on view. He is proud that NMOA has helped launch local artists into global careers, such as Bisa Butler and Mickalene Thomas.

“When you are in a space where you can create change, then that’s what you should do.”

He created the innovative community gallery — a digital space that taps into local artists and can be changed as frequently as needed, organically rotating work and connecting the exhibitions to the current climate in the world and the Newark community.

Taking his inspiration from the founder of the museum, John Cotton Dana,  who held an annual display of his staff’s art, Darryl created an annual staff show. Many of the staff at NMOA are artists, and Darryl relishes the opportunity to show his colleagues appreciation, put their work in front of curators, and connect the staff to the visitors and community of Newark.

Darryl notes that, “Museums traditionally sometimes push away the community (or just do not represent) that they are actually embedded in, simply because they are aspiring to an elitist group of people.”

But Darryl believes — and has shown — a museum can do both: appeal to the main funders and serve the local community where they live. “Being able to empower your community is living out loud.”

Favorite Newark Spot:

“So many! I love that I don’t have to leave Newark to have an amazing NYC restaurant-style experience.” Newark faves include Marcus B&P, Afro Taco, and Taino’s Kitchen.