Corning Museum of Glass

Corning Museum of Glass. The Corning Incorporated-founded institution is dedicated to the art, history, and science of glassmaking, with a collection of over 50,000 objects from Ancient Egypt, Roman Empire, China, Venice, and Studio Glass movement. The museum's establishment was supported by Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York State Museum, and Smithsonian Institution. It has collaborated with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Art, and Victoria and Albert Museum on various projects.

● History

The museum's history dates back to 1951, when Amory Houghton Jr. and Thomas B. Appleton founded it as a way to showcase the history and art of glassmaking, with support from Alfred University, Cornell University, and Rochester Institute of Technology. The museum has since become one of the world's premier institutions for the study and appreciation of glass art, with a collection that spans over 3,500 years of history, including works from Tiffany & Co., Louis Comfort Tiffany, René Lalique, and Dale Chihuly. The museum has also worked with Toledo Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Detroit Institute of Arts on exhibitions and conservation projects. Its history is closely tied to that of Corning Incorporated, which was founded by Amory Houghton Sr. and has been a leader in the development of fiber optic technology, Gorilla Glass, and other innovative materials.

● Collections

The museum's collections include over 50,000 objects, ranging from Ancient Egyptian and Roman glass to contemporary Studio Glass and glass sculpture by artists such as Lino Tagliapietra, William Morris, and Karen LaMonte. The collection also features works by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró, who experimented with glass art in collaboration with Venini, Barovier & Toso, and other prominent glassmakers. The museum has also acquired significant collections from The Corning Museum of Glass's predecessors, including the Corning Glass Works and Steuben Glass Works, as well as from other institutions like the Brooklyn Museum, Chicago Art Institute, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The collections are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services.

● Exhibitions

The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its own collection as well as loans from other institutions like the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Victoria and Albert Museum, and National Museum of Scotland. Recent exhibitions have included shows on the history of glassmaking in Venice, the art of Studio Glass, and the work of contemporary glass artists like Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, and Judith Schaechter. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Art Institute of Chicago, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on exhibitions and programming. Its exhibitions are often supported by organizations like the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Ford Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation.

● Conservation and Research

The museum is committed to the conservation and research of glass art and glassmaking techniques, with a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory and a team of expert conservators who work with institutions like the Getty Conservation Institute, National Gallery of Art, and Smithsonian Institution. The museum also offers fellowships and grants to support research in the field of glass studies, in partnership with organizations like the American Council of Learned Societies, National Science Foundation, and Social Science Research Council. Its conservation and research efforts are supported by the Kress Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts.

● Education and Outreach

The museum offers a range of educational programs and outreach activities, including classes, workshops, and lectures for adults and children, in collaboration with institutions like the New York State Education Department, National Art Education Association, and American Alliance of Museums. The museum also partners with local schools and community organizations, such as the Corning-Painted Post Area School District, Steuben County, and Finger Lakes Region, to provide arts education and outreach programs. Its education and outreach efforts are supported by organizations like the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and New York State Council on the Arts.

● Campus and Facilities

The museum's campus includes a variety of facilities, including the Rakow Research Library, which is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive libraries on the subject of glassmaking and glass art, with a collection of over 20,000 volumes and a team of expert librarians who work with institutions like the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, and British Library. The museum also features a number of galleries, including the Contemporary Art + Design Wing, which showcases the work of contemporary glass artists, and the Glassmaking Studio, where visitors can watch live glassmaking demonstrations and take classes with artists like Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, and William Morris. The campus is supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Institute of Architects, and American Society of Landscape Architects. Category:Art museums in the United States