Wednesday, February 08, 2006
USI Art Collection Committee charged with cohesion of collection
|
As director of the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, April Vasher-Dean is chair of the USI Art Collection Committee. The first thing she wants you to know about the committee is that it exists. “We meet regularly, and purchase and catalogue art for the University,” she said. “And we’re working on a database.” The committee is responsible for all the art you see in public areas and on the grounds of USI. “When there is any type of art purchased by the University or displayed by the University, it should come through the committee first, so all the art you see on display belongs to the University and lends to the cohesion of the collection,” she said. University art should not be moved or replaced, so that the committee knows where all the pieces in the collection are located. The policy applies only to public areas - not to artwork faculty and staff hang in their own offices. Artwork in public areas should be part of the collection for practical as well as aesthetic reasons. Art that belongs to the University is insured by the University. “If anything were to happen to a piece you took it upon yourself to hang up, we couldn’t help you,” she said. “If University artwork is lost, damaged, or stolen, something can be done about it because the collection is insured.” The Art Collection Committee purchases artwork in the spring. “We have a University donor who enables us to purchase faculty artwork or that of recent graduates. We go to the art department and ask for submissions.” Recently, Vasher-Dean worked with Human Resources to choose artwork for its renovated offices in the Wright Administration Building. “We looked at the space, and I met with them and tried to get a feel for what they wanted,” she said. For more information about the USI Art Collection Committee, contact Vasher-Dean at 812/682-3156. |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.