40 Under 40: Kajette Bloomfield Solomon ’06

Pay attention to issues that make you angry and generate more questions than answers. Strive to be the answer to the problems in whatever field you choose. Be the person you wish you had in your life growing up. Also, don’t hoard all the knowledge you’ve attained. Share it with those coming behind you. 

I want to continue growing in my current role as education program coordinator at the RISD Museum. I want to develop more programs and opportunities for people of color in the art history and museum fields. I’d like to build more community partnerships to make the museum a vibrant, active space in people’s lives. I also hope to author more articles around issues in the field of museum work in general and, more specifically, museum education.

Arcadia provided the perfect environment for me to thrive. I knew I wanted to attend a college that was smaller and offered an art history program. While I had access to many top art museums and art schools growing up in New York City, I wanted a more traditional college experience. I continued attending galleries and museums in Philadelphia, expanding my palate for different types of art and cultural institutions. At Arcadia, I was an apartment assistant, president of the Black Awareness Society, and took on many leadership roles in work-study positions, which gave me the necessary skills to succeed in all my professional experiences. 

Since graduation, I’ve continued in the fields of art and art history. I received my master’s degree, completed internships, and earned job roles that led to my current career in an academic art museum. Arcadia helped me realize that I flourish in environments that are smaller and more receptive to me carving out a lane.