Mallory Shotwell Bio
Mallory Shotwell (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and arts leader with a dynamic career bridging art, education, and community engagement. As the Founder and Director of Cultivate, an artist-run arts organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she has advanced initiatives that integrate curatorial innovation with arts education, fostering equitable access and meaningful connections across diverse communities. Her leadership at Cultivate supported nearly 10,000 students and 1,000 artists through exhibitions, workshops, and partnerships, positioning the organization as a model for impactful arts programming.
​
Shotwell’s curatorial practice is defined by a focus on care, resilience, and the human condition. Her exhibitions—such as It Takes a Village and Embodied Homescapes—demonstrate her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and accessibility, inviting audiences to engage with contemporary issues through participatory and reflective experiences. As a juror and curator, she has consistently championed equity and representation, shaping inclusive platforms for emerging and mid-career artists.
Parallel to her curatorial work, Shotwell’s artistic practice explores the intersection of traditional mediums and new technologies to examine personal and collective narratives. Her project Suspended Self: The Liminal Space of Breast Cancer, a collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, exemplifies her dedication to art as a tool for healing and dialogue, integrating personal artifacts and community stories into immersive installations.
​
An advocate for accessible arts education, Shotwell has designed over 350 fine arts curricula and authored nine educational magazines that connect classrooms with contemporary art practices. Her programs emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and cultural engagement, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and systemic change in arts education.
​
Shotwell’s career embodies a vision of art as a transformative force, advancing dialogue, connection, and societal reflection. Through her leadership, curatorial work, and artistic practice, she continues to foster spaces where art catalyzes empathy, collaboration, and innovation.