UC Irvine’s Catherine Lord Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Renowned artist, scholar, and curator honored for her contributions to feminist and queer art history

Catherine Lord, professor emerita of art and women’s studies at the University of California, Irvine, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies. She joins the 245th class of inductees, recognized for their distinguished contributions across academia, the arts, public affairs, and the humanities.

An artist, writer, curator, and scholar, Lord is known for work that challenges conventional boundaries and elevates feminist, queer, colonial, and cultural narratives. Her practice often interweaves photography and text, creating evocative pieces that confront the anxieties surrounding homosexuality while championing lesbian visibility in contemporary art history.

Among her many accolades, Lord received the 2010 Harvard Art Medal, which honored her bold exploration of identity and her impact on art discourse. At UC Irvine, she served as chair of the Department of Art in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts from 1990 to 1995 and directed the University Art Gallery from 1991 to 1996, shaping the campus’s artistic and academic culture in transformative ways.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences convenes leaders from academic, business, and government sectors to address global challenges. Lord joins an esteemed group of UC Irvine faculty who have been honored for their scholarly excellence. The 2025 induction ceremony will be held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this October.

Image: Courtesy of Jon Chase/Harvard University.