director's message
Spring is beginning to arrive, which reminds us that the academic year is coming to a close in a few months. The days are getting longer, students and faculty are occasionally gathering for classes outdoors, plans are being made for travel abroad, and the wrap-up of another school year is in the air.
The Museum is patiently awaiting news from the American Association of Museums regarding the outcome of our subsequent accreditation status. By mid-April we should have the final word! We hope to be able to celebrate our accomplishments with you soon!
We acknowledge the recent successful completion of several facility related projects: A comprehensive upgrade of the Museum’s auditorium sound system, asbestos abatement and removal behind the Museum stage, purchase and placement of hygrothermographs in each of the main galleries, and general testing and leak investigation pertaining to wall leaks found in numerous locations within the lower level of the Museum building.
Our spring exhibition highlights works from the permanent collection with a focus on portraiture. The main question being asked is: What Make a Picture a Portrait? There are many unique and interesting examples which are being presented to demonstrate this theme. Portraits are endearing to all of us, in traditional ways and in a variety of experimental formats. The exhibition will encourage our museum-going community to get involved and engage in an active dialogue around the theme of portraiture. There will be much to take in and experience, even some educational events which prompt our audience to think about how portraits appear in other artistic mediums. We welcome you to come and get involved in the portraiture conversations!
Lately we have been witnessing an increase in attendance at the de Saisset Museum. We believe the reason for this trend is three-fold. One, our audiences are enjoying the exhibitions and educational programs being presented. Two, museums across the country are noticing this overall shift. A recent survey by the American Association of Museums has concluded that museum attendance is on the rise. One might ask why this is happening. In times of economic hardship, which leads to increased personal challenges and overall instability within our lives, people tend to gravitate to places where they can find beauty, solace, and respite from the day-to-day stresses they are experiencing. The Museum becomes a place where visitors can nourish their souls, recharge, and find strength to tackle their everyday existence. Third, many families are doing more "staycations" (families seeking accessible alternatives for expensive vacation travel) due to the limited resources they have to travel to other places. They look around in their own neighborhoods and find places close to home to enjoy, especially free cultural places which provide entertainment and education. It is comforting to know that our service role is even more important than ever, even in an economy where two-thirds of our museums are experiencing financial difficulty.
Our fall exhibition presentation, Sing Me Your Story, Dance Me Home: Art and Poetry from Native California, is organized by California Exhibition Resources Alliance (CERA) and will be on view October 2 through December 5, 2010. This exhibition will demonstrate the diversity of California Native peoples, represented within our contemporary communities today, with an emphasis on their traditions, ceremonies, and ideologies. Mark your calendars now and join in the celebration!
I look forward to seeing you in the galleries soon.
Rebecca M. Schapp