Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog

It’s a big day! The IMA was just named one of the 10 recipients of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar nominated the Museum about which he said, “The IMA provides the Indianapolis community with valuable arts programming, education and many special exhibitions through the exploration of art, design, and the natural environment. It is truly a treasure in Indianapolis and very deserving of this prestigious honor.”

The annual award presented by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities. According to IMLS Director Anne-Imelda M. Radice, the IMA was selected for the award based on the Museum’s “exemplary programs (that) respond to community challenges, positively impact people’s lives, and serve as models for the nation’s museums.”

National Medal for Museum and Library Service

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kickstarter.com – Ever since Obama’s fundraising team popularized the idea of micro-donations, I’ve had my eye out for other charitable organizations that are trying to change up the donation game. “Kickstarter is a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, bloggers, explorers…” that really has to be explored to be understood. I’m currently fascinated by the project/idea called “Choose your own adventure – a robot painting series.“

SlowFoodIndy.com – Last Wednesday I took a couple of new recruits down to the City Market’s farmer’s market and did a little street team work. We handed out a grip of European Design Since 1985 rack cards and were handed a few pieces of literature in return. One such piece was a flier for Slow Food Indy. From what I can tell, Slow is a blog that is chock full of interesting news and resources related to local food production and being green. Slow also turned me on to the Hoosier Gardener blog which I recommend for our readers with green thumbs.

Nose Art – This time of year, seasonal allergies always stir up the hatred my throat feels for my nose. Given sore tonsils and the recent rememberance of D-Day, I recommend Historic Wings for your WWII nose art fix and a cocktail of zinc, vitamin C, and cough syrup to combat post nasal drip.

Monday Music – 1901 by the Phoenix. A definite cubicle hit.

Last Thursday we had a Staff Planting Day. While there may indeed be a few staff I might like to see planted this was really about non-Horticulture staff helping in the gardens for a couple hours. A chance for the poor souls to get outside and experience non-fluorescent light. A chance for them to feel air moving not by machine but by the forces of nature. A chance for them to get some dirt under their nails as they scrape and climb their way up the corporate ladder. Turn out was excellent, about 24 people. Here’s a large group at the Sutphin Fountain.

We actually had to separate them into three groups going off with different Horticulturists. Even then we ran out of planting work and a large group worked on cutting back some daffodil foliage. In less than an hour we got around 70 flats planted.
I only managed to photograph the people working in my areas. I tried very hard not to get a bunch of butt shots. No one ever seems to want to be immortalized with their hiney pointed at the camera.

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And now, a word from IMA’s Richard McCoy:

Ellen Carrlee is an objects conservator who lives in Alaska.  We’ve never met in person and only know each other through these internets.  Along with our other friend and objects conservator, Daniel Cull, we’ve decided to take turns this week writing aboutour ideas for “New Directions” for the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).  I was a guest blogger for Ellen on Monday. My post up there in Alaska is filled with lots of crazy ideas.  On Friday, Daniel Cull will make a post on his blog… who knows what he’s cooking up.  Here’s Ellen’s offering:

Straight from Wikipedia:

Elitism is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the elite—a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes—are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern.

First things first: we need AIC and I respect the vital role it plays in our professionalism.  You could say I was suckled at the AIC teat.  Back in 1993, I was trying to find someone who would tell me what the heck “conservation” was.  I made a long distance phone call to Jay Krueger, who my uncle told me was a friend of a friend, and one of this mysterious breed called “conservators.”  It was quite a short conversation, and the upshot was “ask AIC.”  I sent away for their brochures (by mail!) and poured over the requirements of the programs.  It was the first of many times I turned to AIC to tell me what I needed to do.

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IRT Facade

I recently got the chance to go see Crowns at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. It was great- the actors had good voices, the hats were compelling and fun and funny, the set was interesting and transitioned well for the actors from scene to scene. Most importantly, the audience loved it and really got into the story. To my surprise, there were a lot of kids there who enjoyed it, too. Way to go, Indy people, for taking your kids to the theatre.

But, I’m not actually interested in making this a theatre review. I have been thinking lately, spurned on by the recent culture rally Indy Culture Matters, about the large amount of cultural offerings we have available to us here in Indy. I have also been thinking about how much this defines the city as a thriving, important global community with an invested, artistic population. Most of our residents care about culture, and support it. But, I think the part that some people forget about is that fact that the institutions and organizations that comprise the local arts scene all actually support Indianapolis residents. Jobs, tourism, revenue- and more than our sports teams bring in, too.

So, get out and see the newest show at IRT, Interpreting William (which is based on the story of the founder of Conner Prairie.) If you aren’t into theatre, try something else.  Some events have shockingly cheap tickets. Indianapolis has countless offerings: Museums, gallery walks, historical houses, gardens, the zoo, the symphony. We have so much going on all the time, and it’s a shame to let all that amazing culture be wasted on JUST the tourists.

Feel free to comment and let me know of all the cool Indianapolis hot spots I left out!