in 2018, the bma announced its intention to sell seven works by artists already well-represented in the collection in order to acquire more contemporary works by women and artists of color. this initiative led to the addition of works by mark bradford, isaac julian, wangechi mutu, amy sherald, carrie mae weems, jack whitten, lynette yiadom-boakye, and other notable contemporary artists. many of these works will be on view in a major reinstallation of the contemporary wing that focuses on the creativity of 20th- and 21st-century black artists. in fall 2019, the bma will also transform the east lobby with a major new work by internationally acclaimed artist mickalene thomas as part of the robert e. meyerhoff and rheda becker biennial commission. this endowment gift is the first named public art commission in the u.s. and includes a curatorial fellowship to help strengthen the diversity of the museum.