BIOGRAPHY

Borowy is a seasoned curator and leader with over two decades of experience in the field prior to joining the Rema Hort Mann Foundation. From November 2022 to May 2024, she co-led VHE ART, a consulting group and cultural engine dedicated to artists and artist-centered philanthropy.

At VHE, she worked with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) to secure funding for their museum project in Nigeria and their presentation of the group exhibition Nigeria Imaginary at the official Nigeria Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale. While at VHE Art she also supported curator and activist Mashonda Tifrere, who was honored at the Pérez Art Museum Miami for her work uplifting women, people of color, and marginalized voices, and she facilitated curatorial projects such as Brigitte D’Annibale’s site-specific, multidisciplinary installation in Point Dume, California. Borowy also co-directed 1364, an avant-garde contemporary art viewing space housed in a Mies van der Rohe townhome that she opened in Detroit in 2021 with Carl Craig.

Borowy served as Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) from 2012 to 2020, leading the institution through a period of financial and operational growth, spearheading expanded grantmaking, and enhancing the museum’s national visibility and reputation, During her career she curated over 70 exhibitions with a focus on highlighting women artists and artists of color, including the first solo museum exhibitions of such artists as Sanford Biggers, José Lerma, Tyree Guyton, Angel Otero, Jamian Juliano-Villani, Arthur Jafa, Conrad Egyir, Matthew Angelo Harrison, Daniella Dean, and Dana Awartani, and successfully shepherded the Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead project to completion Borowy previously served as the Founding Director of CAM Raleigh in North Carolina in partnership with North Carolina State University, and held leadership roles in the communications and marketing departments of institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Milwaukee Art Museum, and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) during the first decade of her career.

Borowy has a bachelor's degree in visual arts from Antioch College and master’s degrees in art history and art education from Michigan State University. She also received certificates from the Getty Museum Leadership Institute, the Yale School of Management, and Harvard Business School.

Borowy is currently based in NYC and is the Executive Director of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation.

eborowy[at]gmail[dot]com

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Acted as a lead selector for the Federal Government Art in Architecture program's selection process, resulting in a significant commission with artist Nick Cave for 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit from 2016 to 2022 (Nick Cave: Palimpsest).
Facilitated and actively contributed to the organization and curation of more than 70 exhibitions, including 34 dedicated to women artists and 51 highlighting artists of color.
Successfully awarded a total of $26 million in grants, including a private individual amount of $17 million, for various arts and culture projects.
Established a unique partnership with the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in 2018-2020, providing residency space in NYC and solo exhibitions for artists of color supported by the Kettering Foundation based in Dayton.
Spearheaded the Ford Curatorial Fellowship for Diversity, securing significant funding from the Ford Foundation between 2015 through 2020.
Raised nearly $2 million annually for MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit) operations, doubled the operating budget, eliminated debt ($700K), and increased full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing.
Expanded board membership from 21 to 33 members, each committed to a give-or-get contribution of $10,000.
Established a Leadership Level of donors, requiring a give-or-get contribution of $25,000, resulting in a substantial increase in funding for our operating budget.
Founded a national advisory board in 2015, capitalizing on the growing momentum of Detroit, which greatly enhanced the museum's visibility and reputation. By 2020, the advisory board had expanded to include 46 esteemed members, further elevating the profile of the museum.
Established an endowment for MOCAD at a regional foundation.
In 2019, initiated a critical $15 million capital campaign to fund essential renovations at MOCAD (Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit) and took charge of the architectural planning process. By the end of 2020, secured commitments of $7 million towards the campaign goal, with written contracts including naming recognition.
Organized donor art trips to Cuba, Brazil, Scandinavia, Japan, Art Basel Switzerland, Art Basel Miami, Frieze Art Week LA, and Mexico City.
Successfully gained site control for MOCAD and led the campaign for the Magonian Foundation to donate the facility to the Museum.
Planned and executed signature fundraising events that enhanced the brand and achieved set goals.
Organized over 15 art benefit auctions for MCA Chicago, CAM Raleigh, and MOCAD.
Secured a multi-year grant of $750,000 from the Knight Foundation for technology-based art.
Launched the MOCAD Museum Store and Online Store.
Led the NCSU Art and Architecture Department in the successful opening of CAM Raleigh, a non-collecting contemporary art museum housed in a repurposed building in downtown Raleigh, NC in partnership with the university.
Closed out brownfield tax credit and new market tax credit for CAM Raleigh.
Featured seven times on the front page of the NY Times Arts + Styles Section.
Led MCA Chicago to the successful completion of a Lilla Wallace Reader's Digest grant of $1.2 million.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Elysia Borowy?

Elysia Borowy is an arts leader, curator, and nonprofit executive with more than two decades of experience in contemporary art institutions, artist-centered programs, and cultural strategy. She is widely recognized for championing emerging artists, developing artist-focused programs, and leading institutions through periods of growth and transformation.

What does Elysia Borowy do?

She is currently the Executive Director of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation (RHMF), where she oversees artist grants, cancer patient support initiatives, fundraising events, and strategic partnerships. She is also an experienced curator who has organized more than 70 exhibitions, including major museum solo shows, public art projects, and cross-disciplinary programs.

Where does Elysia Borowy work?

She works at the Rema Hort Mann Foundation in New York City, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting emerging visual artists and cancer patients.

What is Elysia Borowy known for?

Leading major contemporary art institutions
Curating influential exhibitions, including first solo museum shows for several now-renowned artists
Directing large-scale cultural projects such as the Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead
Developing artist-centered philanthropic initiatives
Building innovative arts programming that bridges communities, institutions, and public audiences
Strengthening organizations through strategic planning, operational restructuring, and fundraising

What is Elysia Borowy's role at the Rema Hort Mann Foundation?

She serves as Executive Director, where she:
Oversees the Emerging Artist Grant (EAG) program
Manages the Quality of Life Cancer Grants
Leads fundraising events such as the Benefit Auction and Buy What You Love
Builds partnerships with hospitals, museums, artists, and donors
Guides strategy, operations, budgeting, and program development

What projects has Elysia Borowy worked on?

Some notable projects include:
Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead (final project completion)
First solo museum exhibitions for artists including Sanford Biggers, José Lerma, Angel Otero, Tyree Guyton, and Arthur Jafa
Dozens of exhibitions across museums and alternative spaces
The upcoming RHMF exhibition Signal Alumni (2025)
Programs supporting artists affected by emergencies (e.g., LA fires relief initiative)
Cancer-support programming such as Harnessing the Power of Art to Create Equity in Healthcare

Where has Elysia Borowy curated exhibitions?

Across numerous institutions, including:
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
CAM Raleigh (Founding Director)
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Milwaukee Art Museum
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
1364 (Detroit alternative art space)
VHE ART projects and independent exhibitions

Has Elysia Borowy worked on international projects?

Yes. Her work has included exhibitions, collaborations, and artist engagements that extend internationally—particularly through cross-cultural programming, partnerships, and exhibitions featuring artists working globally.

What institutions has Elysia Borowy worked with?

Her professional background includes leadership and curatorial roles at:
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) – Executive Director & Chief Curator
CAM Raleigh – Founding Director
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago – exhibitions and programming roles
Milwaukee Art Museum
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
1364 – co-director
VHE ART – co-leader and consultant