Lisa Farrington

Lisa Farrington serves as the founding Chair of the Art & Music Department at the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her leadership has significantly shaped art education within this prominent criminal justice-focused institution.

Her research specializes in:

• African-American artistic traditions from colonial era to contemporary practice
• Historical contributions of African-American women artists
• Intersection of racial identity and visual representation
• Critical analysis of photography, architecture, and crafts within Black artistic expression

Farrington's scholarship emphasizes contextualizing Black artists within broader American art movements while addressing historical gaps in art historical narratives. Her methodological approach prioritizes visual analysis over reductive identity frameworks, encouraging deeper understanding of artistic techniques and cultural significance.

As a department founder and leader, she has established academic structures supporting comprehensive study of art history with particular attention to underrepresented voices and media.