Weissman Professor Gail Levin Secures Fulbright Specialist Award to Consult for the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum
July 10, 2019
Gail Levin, PhD, distinguished professor of art history, American studies, and women studies at Baruch College’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, is spending her summer more than 6,000 miles from New York City.
Professor Levin was selected as a Fulbright Specialist and will travel to Ulaan Baatar, the capital of Mongolia, to serve as an “expert consultant” for the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum. At the museum – which holds treasures from ancient civilizations to early 20th century – the art historian will provide instruction on curatorial practices to professionals and artists, conduct workshops, and deliver a public lecture on her research in American art.
“This Fellowship is great for my work and teaching of global art history and Asian art history,” Levin said. “It also intersects with my work on the art market.”
The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and pairs U.S. academics with host institutions around the globe. Distinguished Professor Levin has held three previous Fulbright awards. She was a Specialist to Japan for six weeks in 2006. She held four-month Distinguished Fulbright Chairs in the Netherlands in 2007-08 and to India in 2015-16.
A Collaboration with a Former Student
Levin’s former student, Duka Amarsaikhan (’17), wrote the grant that is providing the professor this opportunity in Mongolia. At Baruch, Amarsaikhan took courses with Levin, including an independent study.
Today, Amarsaikhan is the assistant director for marketing and foreign relations at the Zanabazar Fine Art Museum. The Baruch alumna is currently studying for a Master’s degree in art history in Ulaan Baatar.
Before leaving for Mongolia, Levin gave lectures on the artist Lee Krasner in London at the Courtauld Institute and the Barbican Cultural Center this summer, where her biography of the artist was just published in a British edition. She also gave a lecture on Krasner at the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. The U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia introduced and attended Levin’s lecture at the museum. Duka Amarsaikhan is the translator for all of Levin’s programs.
“What I love about art history and teaching at Baruch is getting to know aspects of many cultures, including people and art,” Levin said. “Baruch students have offered me hospitality and invitations to speak in Sweden, India, and now Mongolia!”
About the Fulbright Specialist Program
The Fulbright Specialist Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright Specialists are a diverse group of highly experienced, well-established faculty members and professionals who represent a wide variety of academic disciplines and professions. Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Department of State and administered by World Learning. Read more about the Fulbright Specialist Program here.
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