Bard Graduate Center is devoted to the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through research, advanced degrees, exhibitions, publications, and events.

Alumni Spotlight - Natasha Schlesinger

Natasha Schlesinger (MA 1998) is an award-winning art historian and art consultant who has been working in the field of fine and decorative arts for the over 20 years. Natasha was a specialist in European furniture at Christie’s before opening her own consulting firm. She has lectured at Christie’s and Sotheby’s and was an instructor in the Cooper-Hewitt graduate program for the study of decorative arts. In 2005, Natasha was recognized by ArtTable as one of the Future Leaders of the Art World. Natasha Is also a founder of the children’s museum program ArtMuse and creator and co-producer of the art series ArtXplorers.

What attracted you to the BGC’s Master’s program?

I was in the inaugural class that entered in 1993. I was intrigued by the study of the decorative arts. I also thought it would be an exciting opportunity to be part of something new.

What was your focus of study here, how did you find yourself involved with it?

From the beginning I was set on studying the eighteenth century and the objects associated with it. I had worked on that period for my college thesis at Barnard. I also love furniture, and with that in mind I went about focusing on the subject and the period while also taking classes that would give me a broad background. At BGC I worked with demanding but supportive professors who really pushed me to learn their field and apply it to what I was most focused on—I would highlight Ulrich Leben (who become my thesis advisor and recommended the specific topic and collection I worked on), Elizabeth Simpson, from whom I learned about the ancient world, and Michele Majer, who successfully guided me to incorporate the history of fashion in my field of study.

You are the founder of ArtMuse. How did you get involved with this? What are your current projects?

I founded my company fourteen years ago (albeit under a different name). I have always enjoyed working with people and teaching art history, but I felt that what was lacking was a hands-on approach, one that would take students to the objects themselves. Having young children also spurred me to have a flexible schedule and to be my own boss. ArtMuse grew out of a need I saw to offer New York parents an opportunity to guide their children around museums and to introduce kids to art at young age in an engaging and fun way, so that they would be learning without even realizing it. I started with four-year-olds and progressed from there. I now offer curated art experiences to children, adults, and families, as well as manage partners who do the same in various other cities around the world. I am also an art consultant.

What ultimately is your professional goal?

I had always wanted to create a multi-faceted brand that would engage the public in art appreciation in ways that would be both interesting and interactive, entertaining and educational. I am very interested in contemporary art and emerging artists, and most of my art advising focuses in that direction. While my tours are very broad, ranging in topics from ancient art to contemporary, my approach works for both adults and children, novices and experienced art aficionados. I have also founded ArtWorks in collaboration with Bronxworks (an organization that runs several family shelters in the Bronx), where I provide art experiences for children as young as three who have never been to a museum or had the opportunity to experience and enjoy world-class art. I feel that art can and should be enjoyed by all. My goal for ArtMuse is to provide that experience in multiple ways.