Art museum shows community superb works from globe

The University of Michigan Art Museum contains quite a fine collection - and not just of art. There are a number of curators and committees that go into making the decision of which exhibits should be put on to display.

There are three different curators at the museum, in addition to a director, and a committee that approves all final decisions. Carole McNamara is the assistant director for collections and exhibitions. Marshall Wu is in charge of all Asian art exhibits. Michelle Dixon is in charge of all Western art exhibits.

When the three meet with the director of the museum, they review the exhibits that might be good candidates to show at the museum. Once they reach a decision, they then submit their choices to a larger committee that gives the final approval.

Though the museum does own quite a bit of its own art, they often receive proposals and ideas for possible exhibitions from other museums and institutions. Some artists have created Websites where they show their collections and portfolios.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily The University of Michigan Art Museum is home to hundreds of unique works and exhibits from around the globe.

The museum receives proposals from all over - both nationally and internationally. Some frequent contributors include the museums at Harvard, Minneapolis, Brooklyn, Dallas and Washington D.C.

Lending out a piece of art is not quite as simple as one might think. As McNamara said, "Works of art and computers need similar conditions (for care)." Some paintings are just too delicate to be moved, so they never leave the museum.. Next winter, the museum will be sending one of its own exhibits of Chinese painting on a tour to many sites around the country.

Although large, the museum definitely does not have the capacity to hold every painting and sculpture that it owns. The museum stores some of it's art work on the premises, but also uses other storage space provided by the University. Because of the age and quality of the art, some pieces are always stored simply because too much exposure to sun light and uncertain temperatures would ruin them.

The museum is regularly visited by students, both from the University and from local elementary and high schools. The museum does not have any special exhibits for children, but the docents enjoy giving tours to the students. If a professor, or teacher calls up the museum, a special tour can be arranged targeting the needs of the group.

What is unique about the University's museum are the didactic elements that take part in all of the exhibits, mostly in terms of the way the displays and labels are typed out and put together. McNamara said that she "especially likes teaching," and that is why she has chosen to work at the University as opposed to any other museum.

The museum, receives a number of exciting exhibits that are worth visiting. For those who were here last year, the Monet exhibit provided a wonderful experience. Large expositions such as this are planned far in advance.

The new director of the museum, James Steward, comes from Berkeley and is bringing with him an international exhibit of contemporary painting that will be up for most of the fall term, taking over the entire west gallery. With shows like this, the museum should be an exciting venue for many years to come.

04-01-99