Kathleen Goncharov, a distinguished curator who played a pivotal role as the United States Commissioner for the 50th Venice Biennale, passed away at the age of 73. Her passing, attributed to natural causes, was announced by her close friends and her partner, poet and artist Charles Doria. Goncharov died in her Boca Raton residence on New Year’s Eve. She is fondly remembered as a nurturing friend, a staunch supporter of artists, and an exceptional curator.
Artist and friend Robert Ransick shared, “Kathy was an artist at heart, and this sensibility shaped everything she did. It enabled her to recognize talent early and to intuit exactly how to support artists at pivotal moments in their careers.” Born in 1952 in Monroe, Michigan, Goncharov pursued her higher education in her home state, obtaining a summa cum laude Bachelor’s degree in studio art from Central Michigan University and a Master’s in museum practice and art history from the University of Michigan.
Goncharov’s illustrious curatorial career began in 1980 at New York City’s Just Above Midtown (JAM), a gallery known for spotlighting Black artists, founded by Linda Goode Bryant. In 1987, she embarked on a 13-year role at the New School Art Collection, where she commissioned Martin Puryear for the Vera List Courtyard. This project became central to a major lawsuit with the NEA, reflecting broader arts advocacy issues.
Her career continued with curatorial roles at MIT’s List Visual Arts Center and Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art. In 2002, Goncharov was appointed the U.S. Commissioner for the Venice Biennale, selecting Fred Wilson to represent the U.S. with his pavilion, Speak of Me as I Am, which examined the African diaspora’s impact on Venice’s Renaissance. Petah Coyne, a friend and artist, described her as a rare curator who was smart, self-effacing, and deeply passionate about art.
From 2007 to 2011, she led the Brodsky Center at Rutgers University, after which she served as senior curator at the Boca Raton Museum of Art until her retirement in 2025. There, she curated over 30 exhibitions, including her final show, Glasstress Boca Raton 2025. Goncharov is survived by her partner, Charles Doria, and her siblings, Janet Sterling and Earl Shew. Her legacy is characterized by exhibitions that challenged norms and inspired deep reflection.
