Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art

Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art is a free, public art museum located on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1980, the museum serves as a vital cultural and intellectual resource for the university community and the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Its mission is to present exhibitions and programs that cross historical periods, media, and cultures, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and engagement with the visual arts.

History

The museum was established in 1980 through a founding gift from Chicago philanthropists Mary L. Block and Leigh B. Block, prominent supporters of the arts and education in the Midwestern United States. Initially housed in a small gallery within the Kresge Centennial Hall complex, its early programming focused on presenting the university's growing collection of works on paper. A significant expansion occurred in 2000 with the opening of a new, purpose-built facility designed by the noted Chicago-based architectural firm Lohan Associates, allowing for a dramatic increase in exhibition space and public programming. Under the directorship of Lisa G. Corrin, who previously held curatorial positions at the Williams College Museum of Art and the Dallas Museum of Art, the museum has developed a national reputation for ambitious, scholarly exhibitions.

Collections and exhibitions

The museum's permanent collection comprises over 6,000 works, with particular strengths in works on paper, photography, and contemporary art. Key collecting areas include Old Master prints, 19th-century photography, and modern and contemporary prints, featuring significant works by artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, and Andy Warhol. The museum organizes approximately six to eight major exhibitions annually, which often travel to other institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Recent thematic exhibitions have explored topics such as the global history of printmaking, art and social justice, and the intersection of art and science, frequently drawing upon the interdisciplinary resources of Northwestern University.

Building and location

The museum is situated on the southeastern side of the Northwestern University campus, near the shore of Lake Michigan and adjacent to the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The 2000 building, designed by Lohan Associates, features three primary gallery spaces, a 250-seat auditorium, a study room for works on paper, and outdoor sculpture gardens. Its architectural design emphasizes natural light and flexible spaces to accommodate a wide variety of art, from intimate works on paper to large-scale contemporary installations. The location within a major research university places it in close proximity to other academic and cultural resources, including the Deering Library and the McCormick School of Engineering.

Academic role and programs

As an integral part of Northwestern University, the museum functions as a "laboratory for learning" for students and faculty across disciplines. It collaborates with departments such as Art History, English literature, History, and Materials Science to develop courses that directly engage with the collection and exhibitions. The museum offers a robust schedule of public programs, including lectures by artists like Kara Walker and scholars from institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, film series curated in partnership with the Northwestern University School of Communication, and family-oriented workshops. These initiatives support the university's educational mission and extend its reach into the broader community.

Notable works and artists

The collection holds significant works by a diverse array of international artists. Highlights include a rare impression of Albrecht Dürer's engraving Melencolia I, a complete set of Francisco Goya's Los Caprichos etchings, and major prints by James McNeill Whistler. Modern and contemporary holdings feature important pieces by Pablo Picasso, Louise Bourgeois, Robert Rauschenberg, and Carrie Mae Weems. The museum also actively commissions and acquires works by living artists, such as Shahzia Sikander and Mark Dion, ensuring its collection remains dynamic and engaged with current artistic practice.

Category:Art museums and galleries in Illinois Category:Northwestern University Category:Museums established in 1980 Category:University museums in the United States