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Foundation Focus: The University Museum
The Foundation for IUP receives the donations of artwork for the University Museum and manages the funding to protect and maintain these pieces. The permanent collection comprises over 5,000 objects, including the Mary Jack collection of Inuit Art, more than 200 works by the muralist Milton Bancroft, an important collection of folk and Native American art, and important works by faculty and alumni of IUP. The collection is housed in the recently renovated area of the Robertshaw building and includes facilities to research, conserve, and manage the collection.
The University Museum is dedicated to providing leadership in the development of quality collections, exhibitions, and educational and public programs that challenge how we see ourselves and the social and natural world in which we live. The museum exists within the larger context of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs and the Lively Arts at IUP, which promote a culturally diverse world of art through presentations, studios, and classrooms.
To achieve these goals, the museum annually mounts a series of original exhibitions, related cultural events, and educational activities designed to appeal to the university and the local and regional community that it serves. These shows generally concentrate on contemporary and historic fine and folk art and material history. Special multi- and inter-disciplinary exhibits explore the rich historic and contemporary cultural heritage of the region. Rotating displays from the museum’s permanent collection and exhibits of student work from the graduate program in fine arts and design at IUP round out the programming schedule.
The University Museum is essential to the IUP community. It is a natural extension of the educational and cultural enrichment that IUP brings to Indiana County and offers unique opportunities to explore the art and cultural history of the region.
The University Museum also gives experiential learning opportunities to students. Kaylee Long '24, a history major, and Daisy LuceroSanchez '24, an art history major, recently completed internships which allowed them to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to hands-on projects. Research performed included information on the artist, their biography, art style, and provenance. Using this information, they incorporated each piece’s background into its visual description, and crafted labels that narrated a story about the art that made it both accessible and enticing to the public. They also gained experience in various aspects of the museum, including archival and preservation work, inventory, and hanging exhibits.
“Throughout my internship at the University Museum, I learned a lot about the field and expanded my horizons, reaffirming my passion for this profession. These experiences opened new pathways for me and introduced me to different prospective careers and gave me valuable skill sets I will use in my future,” said Kaylee.
“Every moment of working with the museum was educational and fun. There was never a dull moment, and I learned a lot about the legalities of artworks and the creation of exhibitions on a large scale. As someone who wants to pursue a career in museums, I found my experience with the IUP museum to be a great learning experience,” said Daisy.
