Students gather in Faulconer Gallery for a tutorial discussion

Statement of Purpose

The Grinnell College Museum of Art promotes learning through artistic excellence and creative collaboration.

Goals and Strategies

Bring outstanding regional, national, and international art to campus.

  • Maintain a mix of contemporary and historical exhibitions in a variety of media, so that our audiences see the art of their own time as well as its sources in the past.
  • Present every exhibition according to professional museum standards.
  • Seek out opportunities for direct collaboration with artists and audiences on and off campus.

Shape and preserve a select permanent collection, primarily of works on paper.

  • Expand the permanent collection with an emphasis on works of social commentary in modern and contemporary art.
  • Develop collections that directly support exhibitions, teaching and research.
  • Increase access to the collection.

Provide a variety of learning opportunities, with art as the primary source.

  • Seek ways to make works in the collection a dynamic part of the learning process.
  • Across the curriculum, facilitate the integration of the gallery and its resources in the classroom and in research.
  • Work with artists, critics, and scholars to create a richer context for exhibitions and collections and to increase understanding of the creative process among all audiences.
  • Increase understanding of museum professions.

Reach out to our audiences and build community through art.

  • Implement creative outreach to students on campus and in area schools.
  • Develop effective promotion and publicity to make our audiences aware of our efforts.
  • Work with our communities on events and programs that increase their appreciation for fine arts.
  • Make use of new technologies to foster connections.

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