Installation view of Linda Alterwitz,
Just Breathe series, photographs, ongoing since 2016, featured in the exhibition
Earthborn: 30 Seconds to 40 Moons, image courtesy of MAM, artwork copyright the artist.
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Dear friends,
During this time of uncertainty and flooded inboxes, I am writing to you with good news and an open heart from the remote offices of MAM. We are excited to announce two virtual ways to experience contemporary art, with more on the way!
When we launched the
Museum as Megaphone program
earlier this year, we had no way of knowing how relevant it would be just a few weeks later. Originally conceived as a distance-learning program for rural schools to partake in our Fifth Grade Art Experience, it is now a
free
resource available to parents, teachers, and caretakers who are hungry to integrate art into their remote schooling.
In the wake of rapid school closures and the need for social distancing, the education team at MAM quickly modified the curriculum to an "on demand" format where users can log on and access the content for free, whenever they like. Museum as Megaphone satisfies both national and state standards in four areas: visual art, language arts, social studies, and Indian Education for All (IEFA). The platform includes video tours, an interview with artist Lillian Pitt, lesson plan resources about contemporary art, and a guide for an at-home art-making project. We hope that this connection to art and creativity does more than just satisfy educational requirements, but allows children and their loved ones to express themselves during this stressful moment.
Click here to learn more,
and special thank you to Inspired Classroom for partnering with us on this project!
Historically, spring in the galleries at MAM is dedicated to showcasing local student art. While the current circumstance has required us to postpone these shows, we are inviting young artists to participate in our Teen Art Share, which will culminate in an exhibition in the Lela Autio Education Gallery once we re-open. This extended time of introspection is impacting what and how we create, and the means of sharing and gathering. We are inviting teens from all Missoula high schools to follow
@mam_teens
on Instagram and post their art using #MAMhomestudio. All art posted must be created during the time of recent school closures (beginning March 14, 2020, the first day of spring break) until schools re-open. We can’t wait to see what you create!
The Missoula Art Museum is committed to celebrating and showcasing the art of our time. This commitment will never change. From the entire MAM staff and board, I wish you good health and peace, until we see you in the galleries again.
With gratitude,
Laura Millin, Executive Director
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Art is connection. Art is humanity and empathy. Art is a voice, a way – all things that we need more of as we feel surrounded by ambiguity and fear. Forty-five years ago the Missoula community created our museum through a grassroots movement, and now we are asking for your help to make it stronger than ever before! Please consider a contribution of any size at this critical moment for art in our community.
Watch this video, recorded before the galleries closed, to hear how Art is Everything to our friends and supporters. Thank you to Warm Springs Productions for producing this video.
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