Behind the Scenes with the Curatorial Team

This week's topic: the Makings of a Collection! How do museums decide what pieces to add to their permanent collections? How do they acquire new works or deaccession ones they no longer want? For that matter, where do museums store everything? In this interactive Drinks With the Director, dive into the secrets of collecting and managing the Museum's permanent collection with our Curatorial team to find out how our collection grew to 2,800 works and to learn the fascinating stories behind them.

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a working artist is like? Where their inspiration comes from or how they create their incredible pieces of art? You’re in luck! Our amazing Curatorial team interviewed an artist a week for the month of June — LIVE!
Watch Laura Putnam, Manager of Exhibitions and Adult Programs, along with our third guest artist, Charles Edward Williams!

Why We Need the Arts Now

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, for an interactive happy hour and Q&A as he chats LIVE with YOU and special guests Amy Wiggins, Executive Director of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, Jermaine Thornton, Executive Director of Florida Dance Theatre, and Meri Mass, Executive Director of the Polk Arts Alliance. They are excited to take take YOUR questions live, eager to discuss the powerful roles all arts organizations play in our community, the obstacles they face, and the impact they will have moving forward.

Happy Hour with the Curatorial Team

We're putting a new twist on our First Thursday After Hours! With a drink in hand (BYOB, alcoholic or non), join us — and Executive Director Alex Rich — on Facebook Live this Thursday, May 7, at 6 pm, as he chats with YOU and our amazing Curatorial team.