Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire

Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire. The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire is a premier institution for the arts, affiliated with the University of New Hampshire and located in Durham, New Hampshire. It was established to provide a cultural and educational resource for the University of New Hampshire community, as well as the broader New England region, including Boston, Portland, Maine, and Manchester, New Hampshire. The museum's mission is to inspire learning, explore art history, and foster creativity, in collaboration with institutions like the Currier Museum of Art, Peabody Essex Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

● History

The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire was founded in 1938, with a collection of European art and American art, including works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection to include Asian art, African art, and Latin American art, with notable pieces by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Joan Mitchell. The museum has also hosted exhibitions featuring works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Ellsworth Kelly, in partnership with institutions like the Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and National Gallery of Art. The museum's history is closely tied to the development of the University of New Hampshire, which has grown to include colleges like the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, as well as research centers like the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space.

● Collections

The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire has a diverse collection of over 1,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs, representing a range of styles and periods, from Ancient Greek and Roman art to Modern art and Contemporary art. The collection features works by notable artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Mary Cassatt, as well as pieces by New Hampshire artists like Richard Whitney and John W. Hatch. The museum's collection is also strong in American folk art, with examples of quilts, furniture, and ceramics from the Shaker community and other regional artisans, similar to those found in the collections of the American Folk Art Museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The museum's holdings are complemented by those of other institutions in the region, including the Portland Museum of Art and the Currier Museum of Art.

● Exhibitions

The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire presents a range of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works from its permanent collection, as well as loans from other institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and National Museum of Women in the Arts. Recent exhibitions have included shows on Abstract Expressionism, Pop art, and Surrealism, with works by artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Salvador Dalí. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on Photography, featuring works by Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, and Cindy Sherman, in collaboration with institutions like the International Center of Photography and the George Eastman Museum. The museum's exhibitions are often developed in partnership with other cultural organizations in the region, including the New Hampshire Historical Society and the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

● Education and Programs

The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, from University of New Hampshire students and faculty to K-12 education students and the broader community. The museum provides guided tours, workshops, and lectures, as well as online resources and educational materials, in collaboration with institutions like the New Hampshire Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts. The museum also partners with other cultural organizations in the region, including the Capitol Center for the Arts and the New Hampshire Theatre Project, to offer a range of cultural and educational programs. The museum's education programs are designed to promote art appreciation, art history, and studio art, and to foster a deeper understanding of the arts and their role in society, similar to programs offered by the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

● Building and Facilities

The Museum of Art, University of New Hampshire is located in a state-of-the-art facility on the University of New Hampshire campus, designed by Architects and completed in 1982. The building features over 6,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as a range of educational and administrative facilities, including a museum store and a café. The museum's facilities are designed to provide a comfortable and accessible environment for visitors, with amenities like wheelchair accessibility and audio descriptions for visitors with disabilities. The museum's building is also home to the University of New Hampshire Department of Art and Art History, which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in studio art, art history, and art education, in collaboration with institutions like the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The museum's facilities are an important part of the University of New Hampshire campus, which also includes other cultural and educational institutions like the University of New Hampshire Library and the Johnson Theatre. Category:Art museums in the United States