Moving the Barnes: Precedents, Pitfalls, Possibilities.

The pending move of the Barnes Foundation from its “permanent,” suburban palatial home to a new building in Center City, Philadelphia has myriad implications for the museum world in terms of public policy, donor intent, art education, and museum design. The decade-long legal proceedings that enabled the move by overturning provisions dictated by founder Albert C. Barnes have elicited highly opinionated public commentary, building on a legacy of partisan press associated with Barnes himself and the foundation’s operation from its beginning. Sustained scholarly discourse has been more tentative, considering the scope of issues raised, not least, how the monetary value of the art owned by the foundation, as well as its idiosyncratic educational mission, have factored into the debates. This session seeks papers arguing strong practical or theoretical positions on any aspect of the case. Broad themes: legislating public and private/cultural heritage and capital; fluctuating economic conditions and museum policies/practices; the plan for a Barnes Galleries re-do, exactly as Barnes left his final installation within the new site.

Info. / submission form:
www.secollegeart.org (go to Annual Conference);
Contact/submit to: Jody B. Cutler, Lincoln University, j.cutler06@yahoo.com