Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Ontario
https://www.rom.on.ca/en
2018
Dr. Fahmida Suleman appointed Curator of
Islamic Art & Culture
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Fahmida Suleman will be the new Curator of Islamic Art & Culture at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Suleman will begin her new position in January 2019. Fahmida joins the ROM from the British Museum where she is the Phyllis Bishop Curator for the Modern Middle East. In that position, Fahmida is responsible for the Museum's collection of ethnographic objects and textiles from the Middle East and Central Asia. Previously, Fahmida was also a consultant with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture during the development phase of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Marilyn Hoffman and Connie Rosemont of Museum Search & Reference ran the international search for this position at the ROM.
Raised in Toronto, Dr. Suleman holds a degree in Islamic and Religious Studies from the University of Toronto, and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Islamic Art and Archaeology from Oxford University. She completed the Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, UK.
Dr. Suleman will be responsible for developing and implementing strategy to build, manage and interpret the ROM's world-class collection of Islamic art and material culture, which represents the largest collection of its kind in Canada.
Dr. Suleman's role will include leading strategic acquisitions, developing public programs and exhibitions, and further engaging the Islamic community in Toronto and across Canada.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Fahmida Suleman to the ROM," said Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. "Fahmida joins the Museum at a critical time, as we engage our visitors and our communities more deeply in our collections. Her scholarly, curatorial, and programming expertise will offer fresh perspectives on the impact and influence of Islamic art and culture on our contemporary world."
Many people helped with this search as nominators, references or candidates, and Connie and Marilyn are grateful to each of them.