There are a lot of projects in our Education Department that often go unnoticed by the general public. We quietly (OK, if you’ve been in our offices, it’s not really all that quiet) strive each day to make a significant difference in the lives of the people with whom we’re working, but once in a while I’m really inspired to speak out and share our work with everyone.

Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial is one of those times. The exhibition opens in February of 2011, and I know it will present multiple opportunities to engage members of our community in thoughtful, productive discussions about current events and relevant social issues. Through a grant we received from the NEA, we have been able to form a partnership with students and faculty at Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center in Wayne Township.

Thornton Dial, Sr., "Don't Matter How Raggly the Flag, It Still Got to Tie Us Together"

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Filed under: Art, Education, Local

Since it is Memorial Day, it seems appropriate to take a break from our typical witty banter and be more pensive. So I will simply offer a few works of art from IMA’s collection that seem appropriate to consider today. So take a moment to look, and consider what’s going on in these pictures.  Comments are always welcome!

Liberty Loan Parade by Arthur Clifton Goodwin Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Art, Current Events

Aside from the "zigazig ah" that everyone wants, I want IMA to be, “genre-defying.” Films, bands, authors, artists: they can all be genre-defying. So why can’t we?

In many ways museums have been required to wear many hats for a while now. They have found themselves in precarious places, needing to get a piece of that proverbial cash pie, necessitating competition with movies, sporting events, zoos and other, much flashier leisure time attractions. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: New Media