Kimberly Drew, a dynamic curator, writer, and cultural powerhouse, is stepping away from her role at Pace Gallery to embark on a new academic journey. Drew will relocate to London this fall to pursue a Master’s degree in History of Design at the prestigious Royal College of Art (RCA).

A spokesperson for Pace confirmed that while Drew is leaving her position, she will remain involved with the gallery on a project basis moving forward.

Drew made the announcement on Instagram Friday, sharing a glimpse into her last day at Pace. One story slide read, “today is my last day at Pace Gallery,” followed by a photo of Drew carting her belongings—shoes, boxes, tote bags—out of the gallery. That image was tagged with a candid caption: “for those wondering – I quit! grad school next. thankful to Marc and Pace gallery for the opportunity to grow and now it’s time to go.”

Known online by her handle @museummammy, Drew rose to prominence for her activism and advocacy around inclusivity in the art world, particularly amplifying Black artists and creatives. Before joining Pace, she worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and co-edited the book Black Futures with fellow author and academic Jenna Wortham.

Her decision to pursue graduate studies marks a new chapter in a career already rich with influence and impact. The History of Design program at RCA, run in partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum, focuses on cultural histories of material objects—an academic path well aligned with Drew’s long-standing passion for design, art, and storytelling.

As she transitions from the gallery space to the classroom, Drew’s followers and peers continue to express support for her next move—one that underscores her commitment to learning, evolving, and challenging norms in the art and design world.