Flood recovery news

I'm guessing we can all agree on at least one thing about 2008 -- it was a year of challenges, and it feels rather good to turn the page to 2009!

In the spirit of reflection, I thought I'd give you a run down on some of the things the Museum of Art has to look forward to this year.

As you know, the UI Museum of Art will not be returning to our former flood-prone home on the banks of the Iowa River. With Lloyds of London, which insures the UIMA's collection, the Museum is evaluating potential temporary exhibition spaces around campus. For each possible venue, the Museum's staff has created proposals for security and climate control and prepared an emergency plan. Progress has been favorable, but no plans are yet certain. The UI Museum of Art does hope to open the exhibition Two Turntables and a Microphone: Hip-hop Contexts featuring Harry Allen's Part of the Permanent Record: Photos From the Previous Century on March 28 in the Iowa Memorial Union's Black Box Theater, located on the third floor of the building. We'll be posting updates on this blog as we learn more.

Other spaces under consideration for display of the UIMA permanent collection (African works, paintings, etc.) include the Iowa Memorial Union's R. Wayne Richey Ballroom, also located on the third floor, and a gallery at the Levitt Center for University Advancement.

The UIMA is also considering other ways to ensure its collection reaches out to the people of Iowa, including touring some works of art (such as Jackson Pollock's Mural) to other Iowa locations.

Other museums across the state are also starting to recover. The Des Moines Register's Erin Jordan gives an update on some plans for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City museums, including the UI Museum of Art. Here, the Gazette runs a more general update on flood-effected non-profits. And the National Trust Historic Site runs a blog entry that includes a link to the Gazette article on the UIMA's art rescue, as well as links to other flood-effected historic sites, such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois and the Galveston Historical Foundation.

As we strive to maintain high-quality arts programming and recover from the 2008 flood, your help -- whether it be financial or through participation -- is essential. You can easily make a donation in any amount online -- all amounts are greatly appreciated! -- or sign up to volunteer. But most of all, we want to hear from you. What are we doing right? What needs improvement? What ideas do you have for the future? Drop us a line at uima@uiowa.edu, or e-mail me direct at margaret-anderson@uiowa.edu. Or call -- 319.335.1727. Or start a discussion by posting a comment on the blog. We're always happy to hear from you.

Happy New Year!
Maggie Anderson
UIMA Marketing and Media Manager