Jane Burke returns to Boulder 'older and wiser' as BMoCA's new museum curator

Dec. 8—Jane Burke, former curatorial fellow in the Textile Art and Fashion Department at the Denver Art Museum, has been hired as BMoCA's new curator.

Bringing over 15 years of experience and a passion for all things creative, Burke was selected after a national search.

Burke started her curatorial career in Honolulu, Hawaii, working at the Honolulu Museum of Art, The Contemporary Museum and The East West Center Gallery. She also received an interdisciplinary master's degree in Asian art history and Mandarin from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

But her ties to Boulder go way back, as she spent her undergrad years at CU obtaining a bachelor's degree in studio art.

During her eight years at Denver Art Museum, Burke created a platform for plenty of eye-catching couture. From an exhibition displaying Japanese fashion of the 1980s and 1990s, featuring vibrant bodysuits and draping ponchos to one spotlighting the elegant silhouettes crafted by legendary designer Christian Dior, Burke has a history of delivering top-notch and extraordinary content.

In 2021, she spearheaded the exhibition "Colorado Asians," a group show that spotlighted the diverse work of over a dozen Asian American and Pacific Islander artists living in Colorado at Artworks in Loveland.

She has also lent her skills as guest curator to Rule Gallery and the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology.

We caught up with Burke to find out more about her latest role, what originally sparked her interest in art and what she most looks forward to about being part of one of Boulder's premier art venues teeming with new and exciting work from a cross-section of creatives.

Kalene McCort: Congrats on the new job. What inspired you to want to join the BMoCA team?

Jane Burke: I've long considered Boulder my home in the sense that much of my life-long community is here. Being back in Boulder feels like a full-circle moment in that it's a bit like a homecoming after you've gone out into the world to make your mark and come back older and wiser.

And in this case, I'm thrilled to be able to apply all the museum experience I've accumulated over the past decade and a half to a familiar place that is uniquely situated along the Front Range in its size and scope. As a non-collecting institution, BMoCA is able to shapeshift its exhibition programming across a wide-range of platforms throughout Boulder County. In doing so, BMoCA is able to offer local, national and international artists and guest curators opportunities at every career stage in an intimate and experimental environment.

KM: I know your love of fashion and art was sparked from an early age. Any "aha" moments when you knew that creativity would be a part of your career path?

JB: I honestly don't recall any "aha" moment, but more so, I don't remember being attracted to anything else. I remember sketching fashion designs at an early age — and like many, obsessively consuming fashion magazines. No one in my family is artistic, per se, so it was a bit of a solitary path, however my parents were always supportive of all my whims, predominantly dance lessons, drawing and painting and sewing.

I think by the time I was in college, though, I realized I didn't have the confidence or conviction to pursue a career as an artist. However, while obtaining a studio arts degree from CU Boulder, I fell in love with Asian art history, and that's when things started to click. Art history helped me enter the museum field wherein I've since been able to intersect all of my interests under the umbrella of contemporary art.

KM: Exciting times are ahead, considering BMoCA will eventually anchor a new creative campus set in the NoBo Art District. What are you most excited about helping to establish and work towards this new goal?

JB: Since I'm only three weeks in on the job, I'm still learning about the details of the new campus and the associated timeline, but it goes without saying that it's a very auspicious start time during BMoCA's 50th anniversary.

I have just begun researching the artist-run origins of BMoCA (founded in 1972) and the vision that ensued. Their legacy remains at the forefront of BMoCA's current community-centered mission and will continue to guide the institution's next iteration aimed to carry it through the next 50 years and beyond.

KM: Love that BMoCA's gift shop currently features work by area makers just in time for the holiday season. Why do you think this is a great option for local shoppers looking to get something unique?

JB: BMoCA's holiday pop-up is another way in which the institution supports local artists. Artists ultimately need to sell their work to make a living, so it's a no-brainer to offer this platform for them inside the museum.

BMoCA inherently has a strong rolodex of artists, so it's fun to see how staff have used this opportunity as their own "curatorial" outlet.

KM: With the new year coming up, many are pondering their own resolutions. What would you say you hope to bring to BMoCA in 2023?

JB: I am excited to bring everyone along for the ride. I have been saying that when BMoCA hired me — they hired all of us. My Mayan astrology sign is actually a "yellow world-bridger," which is perhaps my strongest character trait. I hope to flex my bridge-building muscles at BMoCA by producing unconventional exhibitions which address timely topics, which we are all invested in collectively.