Rachel Cohen is an artist, educator, and curator based in Brooklyn
January 2026 – Rachel Cohen C’12 is a testament to the impact that taking advantage of all Drew University’s offerings can have on a career.
Cohen, a double major in studio art and art history, is now a contemporary artist, educator, and independent curator based in Brooklyn, a post-graduate outcome with many links to her time at Drew.
“My time at Drew was foundational in introducing me to the New York City art world,” said Cohen. “The New York Semester on Contemporary Art with Professor Kim Rhodes brought me into artist studios, museums, and galleries, and exposed me to a professional art ecosystem that I inevitably became part of.”
Cohen’s New York Semester experience inspired her to create an outdoor art exhibition on campus called Re-Start. What began as a final project for the course evolved into a four-semester event Cohen organized from her junior year onward. Cohen was also invited to curate an exhibit showcasing work created during Re-Start.
Cohen also called out her experience in Professor of Art Claire Sherman’s advanced painting course, which helped her understand how to see and capture light through color in oil painting.
“These experiences were pivotal in shaping both my artistic and curational practices,” said Cohen.
After graduating, Cohen worked in museum education and later a nonprofit arts organization while maintaining a studio practice. She went on to work as an independent curator and programs manager, organizing exhibits around the country.
Cohen now serves as faculty at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she manages the organization’s Artist Residency Program. She also independently curates exhibits for corporate and private clients and advises galleries and collectors nationwide.
“The opportunities I’ve had in my career are directly connected to the hands-on curational experiences I had at Drew,” said Cohen.
Cohen is set to participate in the Every Woman Biennial 2026 art show and a group show at the Bronx Art Space this spring, as well as a two-person exhibition in Taos, New Mexico, this summer.
