Co-founding the Limbo Museum in Accra and previous experience with art museums in New York informed what Simon-Ponte called his “curatorial ethos.” In 2025, Simon-Ponte was appointed the first assistant curator of the Speed Art Museum’s inaugural Sam Gilliam Visiting Artist Program, named after the late Louisville painter and sculptor. The Speed invites two artists each year to work directly with Louisville residents to craft their work. “Sam Gilliam was not recognized and celebrated at the Speed Art Museum until he represented the United States at the Venice Biennale in Italy,” he said. At a University of Louisville studio in Portland, Ndife will converge old furniture and sculpture work, Simon-Ponte said.