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What makes something precious? ‘Precious,’ is used to describe the value of something. Noting something as precious highlights the effect it has on someone, a connection, or an emotional response. However, many raw materials are only considered precious because of their monetary value—what is it worth?  Alternatively, many things are considered precious because of the ideas that they were built from. The artwork selected for this KMA picks considers the way different artists in the KMA’s permanent collection have used precious materials or material byproducts to make their artwork.  ..read more

At/On the Table is a progressive installation from KMA collections. This installation seeks to consider the table as both a physical space and a metaphorical one. The objects included are those we might find on a table as well as representations of communication being expressed in a space. Tea sets are included, for example, but also portraits of people gathering around a table.   What is on the table can be equally important as who is at the table. Often, these intersect. We have chosen different iterations of this split between 3D and 2D objects.  While some of these works are ..read more

Blindfold Lissa Rivera 2016 archival pigment print Recently, the Kennedy Museum of Art added a few new pieces to our collection. One of these pieces was Blindfold, by photographer Lissa Rivera. This image was highlighted in our recent exhibition Gesture of the Still Image, a selection of photographs from collections chosen for their portrayal of the human body in a moment of movement and/or emotion stilled by the artist. Blindfold belongs to Rivera’s Beautiful Boy series which involves her muse and partner, to call attention to expressions of femininity. Rivera and her partner, who is nonbinar ..read more

The art world is dominated by men and always has been. Although the Kennedy Museum of Art has many pieces by female artists, our collection predominantly consists of works created by men. We, and museums around the world, are trying to address that.  The KMA Picks project turned exhibition titled “Representation of Women in Art: Selections from the Kennedy Museum of Art ” focuses on how women are represented by both male and female artists. For our recent exhibition “Gesture of the Still Image” the museum purchased two photos from female-identifying artists after realizing the majority of ..read more

We welcomed three new members to our Museum Experiences Team this Fall: Graduate Assistant Hannah Moulen, Academic Programs Assistant Jailei Maas, and Communications Assistant Lauren Adams. With Tristen and Emily returning, we once again have an amazing group of creative individuals working collaboratively to promote the educational focus of the Museum! It was all-hands-on-deck as the end of August arrived, with the selection and installation of monthly highlighted works from the Printmaking Collection in conjunction with the Family Open Studio Program, managed by Hannah in collaboration with ..read more

We started off the semester with a seamless transition in our communications position, as Addy O’Rourke took over from Grace Kriger, and Emily Van Meter joined us as Outreach Programs Assistant. Both Addy and Emily brought their own energy and style to our Museum Experiences Team, fitting into the wonderful mix that is a cross-disciplinary group of talented students working together to achieve common goals. The semester also ushered in great conversations in the galleries with OHIO classes from Theater, Arts Administration, and Visual Communications, and a return visit with members of our comm ..read more

Our final Alumni Spotlight for this semester is Kent Michael Smith. Kent is both a successful artist and museum director. He gives great insight on the importance of museums as an educational tool. Museums have a great influence on our communities and play a big role in exposing a wide range of people to a variety of different forms of representation. Photo by Hedi Rudd. Courtesy Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. First, please introduce yourself and give us some background information on who you are and what you do.  Hi, my name is Kent Michael Smith and I am an artist and mus ..read more

We welcomed everyone back to KMA in person this fall! For the Museum Experiences Team it was a transition from working remotely to figuring out all the ins-and-outs of safely welcoming guests back into our museum spaces for tours and programs. Everything from team meetings to class visits to curatorial collaborations was on the table for re-thinking, refreshing, and new protocols. Take a look at the November report to the KMA Advisory Board to get a snapshot of pre-pandemic, pandemic, and “what is the new normal?” Fall2021BlogHighlightsDownload ..read more