CEO MESSAGES / 2023
December 19, 2023 Dear TMA Trustees, One year ago, I arrived in Tucson. Unfortunately, my moving company was operating on a delayed schedule. Without hesitation, MaryJo Brown offered to take me in as a house guest until my car and belongings arrived. Thank you again, MaryJo! And sincere thanks to all of you for your kindness, invitations, introductions, and of course, your generous support of our exceptional museum over the past 12 months. The extra efforts and donations of TMA’s League and Support Organization members, as well as our Docents and volunteers, add value many museums lack. I appreciate everyone’s enthusiastic involvement. I also applaud our wonderful museum staff. Due to their talent, effort, and dedication, our exhibitions, education, and community engagement offerings continue to attract a growing number of visitors and participants. Not only is our team capable of seamlessly managing day-to-day museum operations, they’re equipped to respond to emergencies. The Corbett House fire on April 19th required quick decision making, clear communication, teamwork, and follow through. I can’t imagine any museum staff, anywhere, reacting to a situation of this magnitude with better effect. The next two years will be pivotal to TMA’s future. We’ll celebrate our Centennial Year, apply for reaccreditation with the American Alliance of Museums, renovate and reopen La Casa Cordova, begin renovation efforts on the Corbett House, and recognize the 50th anniversary of moving to our present location in spring 2025. I look forward to working with all of you as we successfully secure major gifts, grow our endowment, renovate and reopen our historic buildings, and increase awareness of the positive impact Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block has made in the community and region over the last century. Looking back before moving forward can often be instructive. So, with that in mind, I’ve compiled my CEO Messages from the past year, which appear on TMA’s website ‘About’ section on the first of every month. Onward and upward! Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
January 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, It is with great pleasure that I write my first monthly message as the Jon and Linda Ender Director & CEO of the Tucson Museum of Art. I am grateful to the museum’s search committee and board of trustees for giving me the opportunity to lead this historic arts institution into its second century. The good work we will surely accomplish together, as a vibrant, caring, and diverse arts community will be the foundation for our museum’s future success. Some of the most far-reaching initiatives on the not-to-distant horizon include updating our strategic plan, completing our institutional self-study for the American Alliance of Museum reaccreditation and solidifying plans for our 2024 centennial celebration. All of this, of course, will be in conjunction with the continuation of our world-class exhibitions, public programming, educational offerings, and much more. My intention for this monthly communication is threefold – keeping you informed of the progress we are making toward our institutional goals; recognizing those individuals and foundations that have provided generous support; and encouraging you to stay or become involved, whether that means making a charitable donation, attending our events (and bringing friends), joining one of our support groups, or becoming, renewing or upgrading your membership. The more you do, the more we can do. I am in the process of working out the details of a quarterly informal “Coffee with the CEO” that will initially be open to our museum members and supporters. I would love to learn more about your experiences with TMA and will be happy to share my observations. Please stay tuned for more details. There is so much to look forward to. Thank you for being part of our/your museum’s exciting future! My very best, Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
February 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, It’s February at TMA – prepare yourself for a whirlwind of activities that kicks off with the opening of our newest exhibition “Enduring Legacies: The James T. Bialac Indigenous Art Collection,” featuring artworks donated to TMA’s growing permanent collection by James T. Bialac. I invite you to preview the show, enjoy live music, make art, and attend a panel discussion with humanities scholars Julia Arriola, Monica Buckle and David Tenario at our First Thursday event on February 2nd. This captivating exhibition is presented by Anne and Jeff Gartner, Kit and Dan Kimball, and the Tucson Museum of Art Western Art Patrons. The 2022/2023 Exhibition Season at TMA is presented by Jim and Fran Allen, Jon and Linda Ender, James and Louise Glasser, and I. Michael and Beth Kasser. This program was made possible by Arizona Humanities. Anyone interested in how art museums, as accessible and inclusive spaces, can present cultural narratives and hidden histories of underserved communities should mark their calendars for February 9th from 5:30pm – 7pm. This TMA Leadership Circle lecture features Victoria Lyall, the Frederick and Jan Mayer Curator of the Ancient Americas at the Denver Art Museum. The second half of the month is just as busy with a lively presentation featuring Gloria Lucas and Yesika Salgado on the topic of positive body image, Second SundAZe with the usual art-making activities plus the Mujeres Market Tucson, and Docent Art Talk presented by Linda Friedman on Indigenous artist Helen Hardin. A very special event will take place next month that helps to enable all the happenings mentioned above – our annual Gala, which takes place on March 18th. This year’s “On the Western Horizon” is sure to be a festive evening with music, a live auction and dinner all in support of the Tucson Museum of Art. I look forward to seeing you there! You can purchase your tickets here! https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/gala/ Your charitable donations to our museum help us realize our mission and ultimately transform lives. Thank you one and all! Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
March 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, Our museum membership, which is over 2,500 strong, and growing, includes a diverse group of individuals and families who care deeply about TMA’s mission to connect art to life. To ensure your membership experience is positive and rewarding, we asked for your feedback via an e-survey sent last month. We’ve received over 400 responses as of March 1st – statistically a very high reply rate! Thank you for taking the time to send us your thoughts. Our museum staff will be reviewing member comments over the next few weeks, and I’ll include key takeaways in my April message. As always, you can join or renew your membership from our website: https:// www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/membership/ or reach out to our Membership & Development Associate, Isai Pacheco at: ipacheco@tucsonmuseumofart.org Those of you visiting TMA this summer will undoubtedly witness an influx of budding young artists exploring our galleries seeking inspiration for their art projects. Our popular summer art camp for ages 5 – 13 runs from June 5 through August 4. Research shows that early engagement in the arts plays an important role in enhancing the growth of cognitive and emotional pathways as well as boosting arts participation as adults. For more information and registration, please visit our website at: https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/art-camp/ “March Madness” most likely brings to mind the NCAA Division Men’s basketball tournament (I’ve learned that Tucson is a basketball town), however, the term might be just as applicable to TMA’s March events calendar. From our spring Artisans Market, featuring 135 unique and local artists and artisans in an outdoor street fair setting (March 3 to 5), to the lecture “Winslow Homer: Art that Challenged America’s Early Beliefs,” presented by Kit Kimball (March 12), to our annual Gala, “On the Western Horizon” (March 18), it’s going to be a very busy and artful month!
I look forward to seeing you in our galleries soon. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
April 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, We ended March on a sad note with the passing of one of TMA’s most dedicated and generous donors and friends, James (Jim) J. Glasser. Jim, a TMA Trustee Emeritus, and his wife Louise R. Glasser have a long history of civic philanthropy in Tucson and Chicago. They have made transformative gifts to TMA over the years, including major support for our recent building expansion, endowing a curator position: the Glasser Curator of Art of the American West, and naming the James J. and Louise R. Glasser Gallery. He will be missed by many. April begins with the opening of our 37th Arizona Biennial, juried by Taína Caragol, curator of painting, sculpture, and Latinx art and history at the National Portrait Gallery. This much-anticipated exhibition showcases the juror’s final selection of 68 artworks in a diversity of media and styles. Please mark your calendars for our “Artists Spotlight” series, the first of three is scheduled for our First Thursday, April 6 from 5:30pm – 7pm. Biennial artists Jacqueline Arias and Saskia Jorda will speak about their work. This month marks the beginning of our Spring Annual Appeal. Thank you for making a tax-deductible charitable gift before our 2022 / 2023 fiscal year ends on June 30. Your generous support helps ensure our museum can continue to exhibit world-class art, provide extensive, community-centered arts programming, maintain our historic properties, care for our growing collection, and welcome over 70,000 visitors every year. We can’t do what we do without you! I look forward to seeing you in our galleries soon. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
May 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, We reset our calendar on two different occasions at TMA – the “Julian Calendar,” apparently ordered by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. that begins January 1st and our fiscal calendar, which begins on July 1st. As one would imagine, there are several projects to quickly wrap up within the next few weeks. Perhaps one of the most critical initiatives is our spring fundraising appeal. We’ve not yet met our $20,000 goal, therefore your generous tax-deductible contribution on or before June 30th will play an essential role in helping us finish our fiscal year on a high note and ensure we can continue our mission to connect art to life, for many years to come. Thank You! Our well-received and popular ARIZONA BIENNIAL 2023 exhibition, on view through October 1st, will feature the final Biennial “Artists Spotlight” lecture with participating artists Safwat Saleem and lydia see on Thursday, September 7 at 5:30pm. I hope you’ll join us – TMA members enjoy free admission. We’re looking forward to CUMBI: Textiles, Society and Memory in Andean South America, on view from October 14 through February 25, 2024. There will also be a new summer installation of objects from our historical Indigenous art pottery collection, which reflects learnings from in-depth discussions with Indigenous community groups, scholars, and organizational partners. We’re also looking forward to reopening our museum to the public on Wednesdays, beginning July 5th, so I hope to see you roaming our galleries more often! Now while the temperature outdoors heats up, our season of special events, lectures, and social gatherings begins to cool down – with one notable exception: our summer youth art camp, which begins the first week of June, runs for seven weeks, and is essentially SOLD OUT! Over the next few months, our dedicated museum staff will be making plans for the start of our fall season as well as the most momentous year of the last century – TMA’s Centennial! Stay tuned for all the exciting details and enjoy the summer months wherever in the world you may be. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
June 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, As we begin TMA’s new fiscal year, and the culmination of my first six months as the museum’s CEO, I’m looking forward with great anticipation to making progress on a variety of initiatives, from updating our strategic plan to preparing documents for our periodic American Alliance of Museum’s reaccreditation. And without a doubt, the most significant event this year will be Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block’s Centennial! Our museum was founded as the Tucson Fine Arts Association (TFAA) in 1924 thanks to a small group of arts enthusiasts associated with the Tucson Woman’s Club who believed Tucson would benefit from having a dedicated arts organization. While the organization changed its name and location several times, its commitment to providing our community and the region with exceptional arts programming has never wavered. We’re also looking forward to reopening our museum to the public on Wednesdays, beginning July 5th, so I hope to see you roaming our galleries more often! Our well-received and highly visited ARIZONA BIENNIAL 2023 exhibition, on view through October 1st, will feature the final Biennial “Artists Spotlight” lecture with participating artists Safwat Saleem and lydia see on Thursday, September 7 at 5:30pm. I hope you’ll join us – TMA members are our guests. We’re looking forward to CUMBI: Textiles, Society and Memory in Andean South America, on view from October 14 through February 25, 2024. There will also be a new summer installation of objects from our historical Indigenous art pottery collection, which reflects learnings from in-depth discussions with Indigenous community groups, scholars, and organizational partners. Selected artworks from our extensive collection of nearly 12,000 works will be rotated into our permanent collection galleries, surely encouraging new connections and conversations. Now while the temperature outdoors heats up, our season of special events, lectures, and social gatherings begins to cool down – with one notable exception: our summer youth art camp, which begins the first week of June, runs for seven weeks, and is essentially SOLD OUT! Over the next few months, our dedicated museum staff will be making plans for the start of our fall season as well as the most momentous year of the last century – TMA’s Centennial! Stay tuned for all the exciting details and enjoy the summer months wherever in the world you may be. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
July 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, I’m grateful for all the individuals and businesses who generously contributed to our museum over the past fiscal year. You’ve made everything we do for the communities we serve possible. Thank you! As we begin the next fiscal year, our team is looking forward to working on a variety of critically important initiatives over the next 12 months, including updating the museum’s strategic plan, submitting core institutional documents for our American Alliance of Museum’s reaccreditation, renovating our historic properties, and celebrating TMA’s Centennial. Fortunately, we have a dedicated, dynamic staff, board, and support groups who are up to the task! If you visit the museum this month, you’ll notice a few changes. As of July 5, we’ll be open on Wednesdays, so you’ll be able to enjoy our galleries and store five days a week, rather than just four. Several of our permanent collection galleries will showcase artworks you may not have seen on view for a while. Modern Art from the Permanent Collection will be up in the Palice Gallery. Paintings, prints, and sculpture from artists such as Max Weber, Marsden Hartley, Arthur Dove, William Baziotes, and Fernando Botero will be featured. Contemporary Photography will be on view in the Kenneth and Judith Riskind / Peter Salomon and Patricia Carr Morgan Gallery. Photography represents nearly one third of TMA’s collection of contemporary art with over 500 photobased works by more than 80 artists that span traditional techniques to the latest in digital advancements. And the Snodgrass Gallery will provide an opportunity to see exquisite examples of historical pottery that date prior to 1800 and have possible ancestral origins to Indigenous peoples in present-day New Mexico and Arizona. As you might gather from the exhibition title: Stories from Clay: Community Conversations of TMA’s Historical Indigenous Pottery Collection, this is no ordinary presentation. TMA’s staff spent many months collaborating with scholars and members of Indigenous communities to better understand these art objects, from their tribal affiliations to clarification on how these vessels would have been used – and how they should be cared for.
This quote, which appears on the Snodgrass Gallery wall: “These are our people— we should be able to learn from them.” – Kyle Kootswatewa, Hopi, is a simple yet profound reminder that we can learn from each other, and each other’s art. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block presents a truly unique intersection of art, culture, history, and heritage – it’s a place for learning through looking.
Norah
Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
August 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, Over the past few years, our museum’s permanent collection has grown exponentially, thanks to gifts of art and new acquisitions, made possible through funds raised by the dedicated members of our support organizations and trustees. TMA’s collection includes over 12,000 art objects representing nearly 3,000 years of history. And with over 25,000 sq. ft. of gallery space, we’re able to showcase a significant number of artworks on an ongoing basis. However, I’m as interested in ‘what’ is in our exceptional collection, as ‘how’ the artworks are interpreted and then eventually shared with our visitors. Case in point, TMA was recently awarded a prestigious grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in support of our desire to be a more responsible steward and hub of research for our Indigenous historical pottery collection. An interdisciplinary team from our museum, a temporary Collections Research Fellow, and a network of Indigenous consultants, including Tohono O’odham and Hopi potters as well as New Mexico Pueblo potters who have century’s old ties to the Rio Grande region, worked with us over the course of a year. This in-depth collaboration of sharing and learning furthered our museum’s commitment to engaging in community-based scholarship that blends academic research and Indigenous approaches and ancestral knowledge, ultimately adding a diversity of perspectives and voices to the understanding of our collection. The resulting exhibition, Stories from Clay, now on view in our Anne Y. Snodgrass Gallery, features a selection of pottery vessels in TMA’s care, many that date prior to 1800, along with accompanying text revealing updated tribal affiliations, clarification on how these vessels would have been used, and interpretation about the design work—or storylines—adorning them. Stories from Clay will hopefully continue to serve as an example for future collections research and aid in the development of relationships with Indigenous communities long after its closure. I sincerely thank the National Endowment for the Humanities for their vote of confidence and all those individuals who worked together, sharing a true passion for the enduring power of art objects across time. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
September 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, Our curatorial team, in close collaboration with our collections, community engagement and education staff, thoughtfully and continuously rotate the artworks in our permanent collection galleries to share our exceptional gifts and acquisitions with our visitors. Additionally, the refreshed installations intentionally construct thoughtprovoking conversations between artworks – an experience that can only be fully appreciated through an inperson visit. While the constant movement of art objects from down in our “vault” up to our galleries is impressive, it’s also worth noting that TMA’s collections often move much further distances, to other museums across the country, thereby showcasing TMA’s holdings, and our museum, to expanded audiences. We currently have permanent collection pieces on view at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, TX and the Denver Art Museum in Denver, CO. Over the coming months, we will loan artworks to the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe, NM; the Baltimore Museum of Art, in Baltimore, MD; the Seattle Art Museum, in Seattle WA; and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Of course, museum collection loans can be both outgoing and incoming. Our upcoming exhibition, CUMBI: Textiles, Society, and Memory in Andean South America, curated by Dr. Kristopher Driggers and on view from October 14, 2023 – February 25, 2024, will feature several significant works on loan. Artworks from the Carl and Marilynn Thoma and the Arizona State Museum collections as well as Carolina Araníbar-Fernández, artist Carolyn Castaño and Walter Maciel Gallery, Martha Egan and Pachamama Gallery, collectors Paul and Cassandra Hazen, and Perla Segovia will be included in this important exhibition. We sincerely thank them for their participation. A related TMA practice that deserves special recognition is the commitment to proactively engaging in scholarly research and sharing newfound insights about its collection with other museum curators. For example, while planning the CUMBI exhibition, Dr. Driggers collaborated with the MFA Boston to further investigate the culture that produced the textiles referred to as Moche-Wari. The effective result of this inquiry was that the ancient textiles in TMA’s collection as well as the MFA Boston’s are fragments that were likely once part of a single tunic divided into multiple pieces, likely sourced from the same Peruvian German art dealer, Guillermo Schmidt-Pizarro, who sold fragments of Andean textiles to several museums between the 1930s-50s. This small section of a textile fashioned thousands of years ago still has stories to tell and the power to inspire contemporary artists is significant, since it builds a bridge between past and present and connects art to life. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
October 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, Most museum visitors have walked by a gallery that’s temporarily closed for installation. When the curator’s work is done, the registrar’s and preparator’s work has only just begun. And quite often, these museum staff members’ essential contributions often go unrecognized. At TMA, we’re extremely fortunate to have the dream team of Rachel Adler, Collections Manager / Registrar and Dave Brown, Preparator. While you may think each exhibition installation is basically a repeat of the last, the reality is sometimes quite the opposite. For example, over the past year, Rachel – who has worked at TMA for seventeen years – has encountered three incredibly challenging situations that have never presented themselves before. One: Last April, a fire which originated in an outdoor recycling dumpster, set fire to the historically significant 1907 J. Knox Corbett House. Thankfully, the Tucson Fire Department arrived within minutes and rapidly extinguished the fire. While the damage could have been much worse, there were dozens of objects included in TMA’s permanent and study collections that suffered smoke and water damage. Rachel, Dave, and other museum staff members worked together to expeditiously remove these objects from the house and then dry and document them, estimate conservation costs, and send a report to the insurance company. Two: A little over a year ago, TMA was gifted a stunning glass chandelier sculpture made by the legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly. This year, we decided it was time to place the 700lb piece in TMA’s Mooney Hall. This intricate installation involved months of planning and included an architect, structural engineer, lighting expert, and specialized installation crew – thanks to Denny Park Fine Arts for the actual reconstruction of the chandelier, which was delivered as 341 individual glass pieces. Three: TMA’s upcoming exhibition, CUMBI: Textiles, Society, and Memory in Andean South America, curated by Dr. Kristopher Driggers, on view from October 14, 2023 – February 25, 2024, will be installed next. The challenge here was presenting an ancient textile measuring 79” by 100” on loan from the Arizona State Museum (ASM). This fragile piece of cloth has never been on view, and, was donated to ASM by Frederick Rhodes Pleasants, the same individual who donated TMA’s first collection piece by artist Henri de ToulouseLautrec. A special plexiglass case had to be fabricated and the exact angle of the textile’s archival base precisely calculated for this exquisite piece to be viewed in its entirety, without a wrinkle. The final presentation of a museum art exhibition is ultimately the result of teamwork and a lot of “thinking on your feet,” as Rachel commented. Thank you to all those who financially support our exceptional exhibitions, the participating artists, community collaborators, TMA members, and individuals who visit our museum. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
November 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, I’m certain that everyone reading this message has enjoyed either a TMA exhibition, docent-led tour, lecture, art class, special event, or art activity out in the community – perhaps all the above, over the past year. Our rising number of museum admissions, K-12 students taking art classes, and expanded community partners clearly indicates a growing interest in what our museum is offering. It’s worth mentioning that in addition to a diversity of arts programming for all ages, TMA also maintains five buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. However, for us to continue providing the programs you look forward to, there’s another number that needs to rise – charitable donations. Your generosity makes all we do possible! Thank you for considering an end-of-year tax-deductible gift to TMA before we turn our calendars to 2024. If you want to read more about the positive impact TMA has made in Tucson and the region over our last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2023, please open our Annual Report by visiting our website at https://www. tucsonmuseumofart.org/financial-information/ And if you think what TMA is doing is worth supporting, which I surely hope you do, please click here https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/give/ to Donate. Donations of any size are appreciated and valuable. As always, my sincere thanks to all of you who are TMA donors, members, volunteers, participating artists, community collaborators, and exceptional staff. YOU make all we do possible! Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO
December 1, 2023 Dear Friends of TMA, When you walk through an exhibition such as CUMBI: Textiles, Society, and Memory in Andean South America, which showcases rare, ancient textiles; attend a free Second SundAZe event with special family-friendly performances; or see a group of students from Imago Dei Middle School on a docent-led tour, you are watching generous donor contributions in action. Our museum’s offerings have continued to expand over the years because the need for our services throughout the community has grown. I hope you will consider making an end-of-year, tax-deductible contribution and help ensure our historic museum can continue to make a positive impact. Thank You! In addition to funding the museum’s general operating expenses such as salaries and facilities, here are examples of TMA’s arts programming your generous gifts will help support: Museum as Sanctuary: This program focuses on community collaborations that highlight the benefits of creative expression and language acquisition through artmaking and in-gallery activities serving immigrant and refugee audiences in Tucson. The Art of Memory: Our 15-year-long partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter is designed for people with early to mid-stages of dementia and their care givers. In-gallery conversations and hands-on artmaking have brought joy and comfort to this special group. School Partnerships: Since 2012, without fail, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, you will see groups of excited students throughout our museum and education studios. They may be from Davis Bilingual Elementary, Imago Dei Middle School, or others, and they all enjoy their time here. So, even though the December calendar in the U.S. is chock full of celebrations and observances, from National Pie Day on December 1 to the Bill of Rights Day on December 15, in addition to religious holidays sprinkled throughout, I sincerely hope you will celebrate a DONATE TO TMA DAY, between December 1 and December 31. As always, my sincere thanks to all of you who are TMA donors, members, volunteers, participating artists, community collaborators, and exceptional staff. YOU make all we do possible! Thank you one and all. Norah Norah Diedrich Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO