Measuring Marginalization: A Critical Analysis of the Gender Gap in the Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) Collection

AbstractThe Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a leading institution in the preservation and presentation of historical and contemporary art, with a collection spanning painting, sculptures, photographs, architecture, design, film, performance, and more. This paper examines gender disparity within MoMA’s collection by analyzing both historical and contemporary trends in the representation of female artists. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative analysis of MoMA’s publicly available dataset with qualitative insights informed by feminist art theory. The study reveals systemic biases embedded in curatorial practices and institutional priorities, particularly in terms of exhibition. In particular, the findings highlight a significant gender gap among artists of various nationalities and mediums, revealing a need for museum curators to reassess how artistic value is understood within these institutions. By identifying these disparities and offering targeted recommendations, this research aims to inform more equitable and inclusive museum collections.