Brian Mancuso

Travel has always offered a creative reset for Brian. To discover new ideas, he set out to visit immersive art experiences, museums, and visionary art sites in highly recommended “ought to experience” cities including Denver, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Oh, and Orlando’s Disney World, too.

The theme of all of these places is “what hath man wrought,” except in a more positive way. Each showcases the creative choices and drive that go into experience-rich environments.

He kicked off his trip at Joshua Tree National Park in California, then visited the surreal landscape of Salvation Mountain just east of the Salton Sea, along with East Jesus, which features a sculpture garden of pieces made from junk and waste.

It’s always good to “get out there” and experience things like the intended audience. My takeaways are often deeper than if I would have experienced the same thing with a staff member explaining their design choices. At the time of this writing, Brian wasn’t able to complete his itinerary. But he was able to visit Meow Wolf and the “Yōkai: Ghosts & Demons of Japan" exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe; and Omega Mart, Lost Spirits Distillery and the Office of Collecting and Design in Las Vegas. When he was growing up in Tampa., Fla., Disney World was seen as a “day trip,” and as a kid he often fantasized about staying in the hotels there. So he’ll end his renewal experience with an indulgent extended stay. The pressures of COVID left me very drained. The tank was dry and I have been retreading ideas and patterns. It’s my hope that, by visiting these places with such intensity, I will be able to tap into a refilled well of inspiration.

vice president of experience brian mancuso

indiana state museum

"During the past few years, my personal creative efforts have tapered off. I’m inspired to tinker more just for the sake of tinkering."

Brian Mancuso

INDIANAMUSEUM.ORG