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Friday, May 15, 2009

Visual Art 'This Next Year Is Going to Be Very Different'

Posted by Jen Graves on Fri, May 15, 2009 at 12:11 PM

That's what I heard yesterday from Robin Held, chief curator at the Frye. In 2010, the Frye has several exhibitions already scheduled (including this one, which I'm looking forward to), but otherwise, things will be tight, Held warns.

Fewer programs, reduced staffs (more to come? no one is answering definitively), creative use of what's in the basement, and exhibitions that go on for months—these are what I'm hearing are coming.

Where can you see the effects of the economy in museums right now?

1. Starting June 1, the Henry Art Gallery will no longer be open every day except Monday (like most museums). It will only be open Thursdays through Sundays (with Wednesdays available for pre-made appointments for tours and school groups).

2. Notice at the entrance to the Frye's Gabriel von Max show two large-ish, full-color reproductions of von Max paintings not in the show. In more flush times, the Frye might have tried to borrow these paintings for the von Max show. But to make the show work without them, the Frye paid $250 each for the rights to post their reproductions. (One at right, photo from Wiki.)

Like a patient etherized upon a table...

Comments (7) RSS

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All the budget cuts are a major bummer, but maybe the one silver lining is a move toward creative use of what's in the basement – I'd like to see museums do more of that, cuts or not. (Especially places like the MOHAI, but it seems like all kinds of odd little shows could be put together at art museums when they start digging around and look for themes.)

Can't wait for the "Old, Weird America" show – looks like it will be great.

Posted by Strath

on May 15, 2009 at 12:29 PM

The next year IS going to be very different, and it would be silly to behave as if it weren't so. While the Henry will be open fewer days, we're extending our evening hours to stay open until 9PM both Thursdays and Fridays. (Previously our only evening was Thursday, and we closed at 8.) We've been hearing from visitors for years that they want to see more of what's in the collection - I am pretty excited about seeing Jeffry Mitchell and Tivon Rice's "Panda" installed (http://henryart.org/exhibitions/show/110…), and about looking at the collection in new ways. ("Networking" http://henryart.org/exhibitions/upcoming…) I know that Sara Krajewski is currently blowing her own mind, searching the collections, and coming up with unusual ways to present things and make connections. It's going to be awesome.

The economy sucks, for all of us - but we're totally dealing with it, and it is not going to change the Henry's level of super. We're going to print less fancy invitations, for sure. The newest newsletter is printed on cheap newsprint, but it does its job and looks sharp. Partnerships with other arts organizations and sharing resources are more important than ever. None of those things are so terrible.

Posted by Betsey Brock on May 15, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Time for the creative arts to get creative! Not such a bad thing...

Posted by MadDog on May 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM

Other types of museums are also feeling the impacts. Here at UW Botanic Gardens, our education manager has been laid off, and our Miller Library has to operate at 80% time starting September 1. Still, we're here, and we're adapting as much as staffing levels allow: we've switched to all-electronic newsletters and I'm pulling us into social media to keep you up to speed on the latest happenings at the Arboretum and Center for Urban Horticulture. Like the Henry said: we're making it!

Posted by seattleeco on May 15, 2009 at 2:34 PM

I hope the Henry will still be free on Thursdays..... Betsey?

Posted by gettingtoknowyoubetter

on May 18, 2009 at 9:26 PM

First Thursdays, we'll be free. And Fridays from 5-9 are 2-for-1 admission.
UW Students, Faculty, and Staff are free. And anyone, anytime, with any student ID is free.
Sorry about those other Thursdays, Susanna.

Posted by Betsey Brock on May 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM