Comments on: Q & A with Kristin Makholm, new director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/ Just another Walker Blogs weblog Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:36:23 -0600 walker_blogs hourly 1 By: Jo Ann hendricks http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Jo Ann hendricks Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:08:42 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-437 I live in downtown St Paul and volunteered in the past with the Museum. It has certainly had its challenges. Yet I saw the success of the patio programs and I witnessed members of the community showing up with checkbooks! becuase they believed it was important to have the art museum in St Paul. So, good luck to the new director and the board! (Okay, and DON'T give up on having the city giving the old cop shop across the street from my condo at 10th and Minnesota as a permanent museum home.) I live in downtown St Paul and volunteered in the past with the Museum. It has certainly had its challenges. Yet I saw the success of the patio programs and I witnessed members of the community showing up with checkbooks! becuase they believed it was important to have the art museum in St Paul.

So, good luck to the new director and the board!

(Okay, and DON’T give up on having the city giving the old cop shop across the street from my condo at 10th and Minnesota as a permanent museum home.)

]]> By: Jimmy Longoria http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-435 Jimmy Longoria Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:10:05 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-435 Hola Kristin, last week I returned from a visit to Chicago. I attended a community meeting at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The topic was the preservation of contemporary public murals. Chicago has an extensive history in community murals. The presenters of the meeting did a great job of presenting the possibility of gathering national funds to support the work. I had a pleasant talk with a Development officer after the meeting. When I came back to Minnesota I was surprised to hear of the cuts in the arts over at Minneapolis City government. I have been thinking that as your board wrestles with the challenge of coming up with a compelling case statement for funding if you might not consider what Intermedia has realized it must do: merger. It might a good idea for you to consider merging service goals to find a competitive mission. Take into consideration that Target funded in a very big way the Chicano Show. Although the leadership has changed-they motivation has not-that population group keeps growing. Let me share something with you-the community at this meeting kept asking for a way to save the art of the muralists, not just in the Pilsen area but nationally. They pointed out that although the walls themselves could not most times be saved- could the images in a new medium be created and stored for people to see? Think about it. The WaWa has a new direction in art, young gallery visitors-young art lovers and it must aim at your central goal of american art if it will be able to fend off the MIA with it's expanded MAEP. Just being a regional baby artists venue may not be enough to get you the \endowments\ you will need to attract the operations money that will keep whatever door you will get to open. Just a thought. your friendly muralista coyote Hola Kristin, last week I returned from a visit to Chicago. I attended a community meeting at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The topic was the preservation of contemporary public murals. Chicago has an extensive history in community murals. The presenters of the meeting did a great job of presenting the possibility of gathering national funds to support the work. I had a pleasant talk with a Development officer after the meeting. When I came back to Minnesota I was surprised to hear of the cuts in the arts over at Minneapolis City government.

I have been thinking that as your board wrestles with the challenge of coming up with a compelling case statement for funding if you might not consider what Intermedia has realized it must do: merger. It might a good idea for you to consider merging service goals to find a competitive mission. Take into consideration that Target funded in a very big way the Chicano Show. Although the leadership has changed-they motivation has not-that population group keeps growing.

Let me share something with you-the community at this meeting kept asking for a way to save the art of the muralists, not just in the Pilsen area but nationally. They pointed out that although the walls themselves could not most times be saved- could the images in a new medium be created and stored for people to see?

Think about it. The WaWa has a new direction in art, young gallery visitors-young art lovers and it must aim at your central goal of american art if it will be able to fend off the MIA with it’s expanded MAEP. Just being a regional baby artists venue may not be enough to get you the \endowments\ you will need to attract the operations money that will keep whatever door you will get to open.

Just a thought.

your friendly muralista coyote

]]> By: Kristin http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-396 Kristin Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:57:40 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-396 Thanks for your comment, Alex. We're working on getting parts of the collection out in an exhibition in March--stay tuned--and actively seeking a new permanent site. Our revised website will be up by the end of the month with a lot of new info. Ashamed? No. 4/5 of the great art in this city sits in storage... And you know what we've been through lately, so cut us a little slack. As far as a home: Midway, hmmm... Good idea, we thinking of that too. We're actively looking at lots of possibilities in St. Paul, so it's a good suggestion. Keep thinking good thoughts. We'll be back. Thanks for your comment, Alex. We’re working on getting parts of the collection out in an exhibition in March–stay tuned–and actively seeking a new permanent site. Our revised website will be up by the end of the month with a lot of new info. Ashamed? No. 4/5 of the great art in this city sits in storage… And you know what we’ve been through lately, so cut us a little slack. As far as a home: Midway, hmmm… Good idea, we thinking of that too. We’re actively looking at lots of possibilities in St. Paul, so it’s a good suggestion. Keep thinking good thoughts. We’ll be back.

]]> By: Alex http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-388 Alex Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:08:51 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-388 I wish that the MMA could somehow get some of its' collection exhibited someplace/anyplace ASAP. I think it is ashamed that the Paul Manship pieces (my guilty pleasures), Joan Brown painting and early Joan Mitchell painting are sitting in storage someplace. I suppose it would be sadder if the collection ends up in auction. Re. possible building, maybe Midway- Univeristy Avenue, with a lot of vacant (cheap?) real estate, artist community and future light rail is the place for the MMA to go. I wish that the MMA could somehow get some of its’ collection exhibited someplace/anyplace ASAP. I think it is ashamed that the Paul Manship pieces (my guilty pleasures), Joan Brown painting and early Joan Mitchell painting are sitting in storage someplace. I suppose it would be sadder if the collection ends up in auction. Re. possible building, maybe Midway- Univeristy Avenue, with a lot of vacant (cheap?) real estate, artist community and future light rail is the place for the MMA to go.

]]> By: Mike http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-387 Mike Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:29:50 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-387 The MMAA is in a tough spot. Personally, I would love to see them model themselves after the Rochester Art Center, exhibiting nationally recognized contemporary artists, and showing MN artists as well. This obviously takes capital, but I think if they can attract funders if they have a strong vision and are going in a specific direction. The MMAA is in a tough spot. Personally, I would love to see them model themselves after the Rochester Art Center, exhibiting nationally recognized contemporary artists, and showing MN artists as well.

This obviously takes capital, but I think if they can attract funders if they have a strong vision and are going in a specific direction.

]]> By: Mark Granlund http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-386 Mark Granlund Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:53:11 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-386 Well Jimmy, That is exactly the question here: is there a role a museum can play that can actually have a supportive function instead of being a drain on resource? I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water, yet. But as it is with all art and museums, and it sounds like Kristin would agree - its gotta be good or people ain't gonna be interested. Well Jimmy,
That is exactly the question here: is there a role a museum can play that can actually have a supportive function instead of being a drain on resource? I’m not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water, yet. But as it is with all art and museums, and it sounds like Kristin would agree – its gotta be good or people ain’t gonna be interested.

]]> By: Jimmy Longoria http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-371 Jimmy Longoria Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:03:27 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-371 Yes tom. the point is that it is pointlesssssss to keep building shells, when there will be no money to fill them with. sorta like collecting sea shells and pretending they are part of a tidal pool. they are the dead remain of once living things. i think it sick that we keep throwing precious money after bad after bad after bad......... time for all artists to grow up and be responsible members of the society that has slipped into a depression and we need to pull our weight in the best interest of the future. Jimmy Longoria Minnesota Artist Yes tom. the point is that it is pointlesssssss to keep building shells, when there will be no money to fill them with. sorta like collecting sea shells and pretending they are part of a tidal pool. they are the dead remain of once living things. i think it sick that we keep throwing precious money after bad after bad after bad………

time for all artists to grow up and be responsible members of the society that has slipped into a depression and we need to pull our weight in the best interest of the future.

Jimmy Longoria
Minnesota Artist

]]> By: tom http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-366 tom Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:16:02 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-366 Jimmy I'm sorry..but, did you make a point? Jimmy

I’m sorry..but, did you make a point?

]]> By: Jimmy Longoria http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Jimmy Longoria Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:50:46 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-355 Say Gregg have you checked out the funding situation for those museums, schools, studios, associations and clubs? Have ya heard about the "un allotment" and how it pulls the rug out from under the "YES"? Have ya heard how the regular foundations are "refocusing" the funding and have pretty much given everyone the "two year" count? Have ya also heard of the drop in attendance at all venues? What is this new old museum gonna need a year to operate? 2 million?, 1 million, .5 million, $250,000.00? And out of what pocket is it going to come from? Just thinking about the money that will not be going to artists making art for communities, and putting it out there in the street??? What ya thunk son? Jimmy Longoria Say Gregg have you checked out the funding situation for those museums, schools, studios, associations and clubs? Have ya heard about the “un allotment” and how it pulls the rug out from under the “YES”? Have ya heard how the regular foundations are “refocusing” the funding and have pretty much given everyone the “two year” count?

Have ya also heard of the drop in attendance at all venues?

What is this new old museum gonna need a year to operate? 2 million?, 1 million, .5 million, $250,000.00? And out of what pocket is it going to come from?

Just thinking about the money that will not be going to artists making art for communities, and putting it out there in the street???

What ya thunk son?

Jimmy Longoria

]]> By: Gregg Reed http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2009/06/17/q-a-with-kristin-makholm-new-director-of-the-minnesota-museum-of-american-art/comment-page-1/#comment-352 Gregg Reed Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:43:06 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=425#comment-352 Recently I've wondered if regional art museums, such as the Minnesota Museum of Art, might be a good investment for the future. In the past, Minnesota museums had to reach to other places to find art. The seemingly increasing numbers of local city art museums, schools, studios, associations, and clubs are opening a widespread and newly associated layer of art and artists. The state's success in the arts in the late 20th century might also require deeper examination. More state and community development funding for art might nurture new artists and art for a state museum in the future. Recently I’ve wondered if regional art museums, such as the Minnesota Museum of Art, might be a good investment for the future. In the past, Minnesota museums had to reach to other places to find art. The seemingly increasing numbers of local city art museums, schools, studios, associations, and clubs are opening a widespread and newly associated layer of art and artists. The state’s success in the arts in the late 20th century might also require deeper examination. More state and community development funding for art might nurture new artists and art for a state museum in the future.

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