Acquisitions for Diversity: Works by Native California Artists
This past spring quarter, the Museum embarked upon its third in a successful series of Acquisitions for Diversity projects. These projects have been instrumental in helping to diversify the artists represented in the de Saisset Museum’s permanent collection. In these projects, the Museum collaborates with SCU Art and Art History faculty members in order to make the acquisition of artworks for the permanent collection part of art history classes. The students in the art history classes prepare and deliver presentations about the artworks available for purchase and then make the final selection of which artworks will be purchased for the collection. Past Acquisitions for Diversity projects with former SCU Assistant Professor Bridget Cooks and her African American Women in the Visual Arts and African Americans and Photography courses resulted in the acquisition of eight photographs and one photolithograph by artists Sheila Pree Bright, Chester Higgins Jr., and Carrie Mae Weems.
Rick Bartow, Concerning Intelligence, 2006, acrylic on panel, 24 x 24 in., de Saisset Museum permanent collection, Museum purchase co-sponsored by Santa Clara University’s Center for Multicultural Learning, Work selected by students in Professor Kate Morris’ Native American Art: Special Topics class, spring 2006, 2007.3.6
In spring 2007, the Museum collaborated with SCU Assistant Professor Kate Morris and her Native American Art: Special Topics course on an Acquisition for Diversity project focused on Native California artists. Previously, the Museum had only works by one Native California artist in the permanent collection. As a result of this project, the Museum included three photographs by Dugan Aguilar (both of which were included in the Museum’s winter 2007 exhibition Faith Placed), one serigraph by Jean LaMarr, a painting by Rick Bartow, and a lithograph by Frank LaPena.
As with past acquisitions projects, the experience was rewarding to all participants involved. The Museum receives works for the permanent collection, the students are able to take an active role in the Museum’s acquisition process, and the professor is provided works that can become a resource for future teaching.
Explains participating student Maggie Kaufman: “Working with this acquisitions project was an invaluable experience for me. I feel it was a great way to utilize many of the things I’ve learned as an art history major in a way that will benefit the future students of Santa Clara. I absolutely recommend that projects like these continue to be offered to students!!!”
Karen Kienzle
Assistant Director for Exhibitions, Education, and Community Outreach