News and notables

Anatomy of an Exhibition Web presentation on the National Gallery of Art website is worth a look. This site offers a glimpse behind the scenes during the planning and construction of an exhibition (2000/2001) at the National Gallery of Art, Art Nouveau, 1890-1914, the largest and most comprehensive exhibition on the subject ever organized.

The NY Jewish Film Festival, organized by The Jewish Museum & The Film Society of Lincoln Center, opened January 14, 2009
The 18th annual New York Jewish Film Festival, a global survey of innovative and provocative films—most receiving their New York or U.S. premieres—explores the multi-faceted Jewish experience. A total of 32 films from 15 countries add up to an exhilarating worldwide journey. Many screenings are followed by discussions with directors and other special guests. Visit jewishmuseum.org or check out filmlinc.com for more information.

The National Gallery of Art receives a gift of 5,250 prints from Dave and Reba Williams' Print Research Foundation
Over the next three months, a pair of Connecticut art collectors will ship a trove of 5,250 American prints southward to the National Gallery of Art, increasing its American print collection by nearly 40 percent. The donated works are from Dave and Reba Williams' five-year-old Print Research Foundation in Stamford, Conn., and include prints from the etching revival in the late 19th century through Andy Warhol's reign in the 1960s, with an emphasis on Depression-era works.  Read the full Washington Post article.

Philippe de Montebello, who led the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 30 years, retired at the end of 2008
Philippe de Montebello, who led the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 30 years and virtually became synonymous with its monumental profile, retired at the end of 2008. A patrician figure whose mellifluous multilingual voice on the museum’s audio guides was known to millions of visitors around the world, he was the eighth and longest-serving director in the institution’s 138-year history. Read the full New York Times article.

Extremely Hungary events planned for New York and Washington, DC
Extremely Hungary is a yearlong festival showcasing contemporary Hungarian visual, performing, and literary arts in New York and Washington, D.C., throughout 2009. The festival reveals the roots of Hungary’s thriving contemporary culture and its impact on American society through a broad spectrum of events at leading cultural institutions in the two cities. Extremely Hungary is organized by the Hungarian Cultural Center in New York. The festival is made possible in part by funding from the Hungarian Ministry of Education and Culture, and the participation of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The festival’s chairpersons are George Soros and Kati Marton. Visit the website for more information.

Brooklyn Museum's American and European costumes will be transferred to the Met
After three years of negotiations, the financially strained Brooklyn Museum has arranged to transfer its rich collection of American and European costumes and accessories to the Metropolitan Museum of Art so that it can be properly cared for and exhibited. Read the New York Times article.

Tate Modern to be transformed
Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Transforming Tate Modern is aimed at establishing the full potential of the entire Tate Modern site and surrounding areas. It is intended that the new building will be completed in time for the London Olympic and Paralympics Games in 2012. See the website for more information.

Check out the Museum of Arts and Design's new website
The Museum of Arts and Design has a new website, including fully searchable online collections. This project was made possible in part through major funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional project services were donated by Duggal Visual Solutions. The online collections site is powered by eMuseum.

Rock Lives in SOHO!
Rock Annex NYC is opening on November 25, 2008
Experience the greatest moments in Rock & Roll and connect with the legendary artists that changed our world. Discover the movements ignited by music revolutionaries like Lennon, Madonna, Hendrix and Dylan. Plus, check out a special gallery highlighting New York City and its impact on rock music. Step into this epic rock journey, featuring exclusive collection pieces from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. To find out more click here.

Art Gallery of Ontario opens new Frank Gehry-designed building
The transformed Art Gallery of Ontario opened its doors to the public on November 14, 2008.  The new building is the first Frank Gehry building in Canada and includes 110 light-filled galleries exhibiting over 4,300 works . To find out more click here.

Alejandro Zaffaroni receives Woodrow Wilson Award
for Public Service
On November 6, Alejandro Zaffaroni, the Chairman of Gallery Systems, was presented the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service by the Woodrow Wilson Center of the Smithsonian Institution--the nation's preeminent policy forum. The Award recognizes individuals who have shown a special commitment to seeking out informed opinions and thoughtful views as they strive to extend the benefits of knowledge and the betterment of society. Gallery Systems extends its congratulations and thanks to Dr. Zaffaroni for this recognition and all he has done to deserve it.

To learn more, please visit the Woodrow Wilson Center's website or read the press release (PDF).

MCN Conference Held in Washington, DC
Museum Computer Network held it’s annual conference November 12-15, 2008 in Washington, DC.  MCN, whose mission is to “support the greater museum community by providing continuing opportunities to explore, implement, and disseminate new technologies and best practices in the field,” is a leading professional association in our discipline.  Gallery Systems was pleased to be a sponsor of this year’s conference as well as an exhibitor, and Gallery Systems staff members welcomed the opportunity to participate in conference sessions and network with other museum professionals.

We would like to thank the members of the Board of Directors of MCN for helping to make this conference so successful, and send best wishes to outgoing President Cathryn Goodwin of Princeton University Art Museum (also a Gallery Systems Advisory Board member), and incoming MCN President Rob Lancefield of Wesleyan University.