The Folger Shakespeare Library’s Board of Governors has appointed Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper as the new director of the 92-year-old institution, and she began serving in her new role on Oct. 7. Karim-Cooper succeeds Michael Witmore, who has served as the library’s director since 2011.
Karim-Cooper currently serves on the executive leadership team at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, England. She is professor of Shakespeare Studies at Kings College London and the author of popular commercial, trade, and scholarly publications. The Board of Governors says it was impressed with Karim-Cooper’s experience and leadership that encompasses education, research and collections, performance, public engagement, and capital building projects.
“The Search Committee and the Board of Governors were impressed with Farah’s deep, diversified track record and experiences, which traverse the world of Shakespeare studies, performance, collections, media, and connecting with a variety of audiences,” says Board Chair D. Jarrett Arp. “She has a well-earned reputation as an inclusive, thoughtful, and engaging leader. Farah is a natural fit to guide the Folger as we welcome the public, increase our visibility, and build for the Folger’s second century.”
Karim-Cooper, who served as president of the Shakespeare Association of America from 2021-22, is widely recognized as both a Shakespeare and public scholar. Among her accomplishments, she is a book author and field leader in examining Shakespeare’s plays through the lens of race and social justice. In 2018, she founded and curated the Globe’s Shakespeare and Race Festival and conceived and curated the Antiracist Shakespeare Webinar series. Her most recent book, “The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race,” was voted a top book of 2023 by Time Magazine, NPR, and The New Yorker.
Karim-Cooper says she is “thrilled” to be named director of the Folger Shakespeare Library. “The Folger is a world-renowned and beloved institution, a significant beacon of knowledge that daily demonstrates the importance of the humanities,” she notes. “I am truly honored to uphold its founding mission while forging new ways to demonstrate how Shakespeare’s work speaks to our moment. Above all, I look forward to working with the Folger’s passionate staff and its remarkable Board of Governors to lead this miraculous institution into its second century.”
Eric Weinmann Librarian and Director of Collections and Exhibitions Greg Prickman served as interim director prior to Karim-Cooper’s start in October.
Main Image: Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper; Credit: Henry T.
