By now, most of you will have heard of the decision made by Brandeis University trustees to close their Rose Art Museum and sell off the collections to bolster operating revenue.  The Brandeis statement quoted president Jehuda Reinharz as viewing the decision to close the museum as ”very difficult,” but “an important step in the ongoing resource management and allocation process” that the university needs.

The Brandeis decision is extremely disturbing on so many fronts.  I have heard from many of you with concerns and questions about this sad affair.  Therefore, and in consideration of brevity, allow me to address three issues: 

1) Yes, I believe there is a systemic problem in higher education if art is viewed as a luxury rather than a central component of a liberal education.  Museums are by nature educational.  Anyone involved with a university art museum, in particular, understands that one does not simply “visit” a museum.  Rather, the museum is a place where objects and ideas convene, where one comes in contact with original source materials and conducts research.  The museum is a place where one participates in interdisciplinary programs using art as the connecting thread.  And, the museum is where one can, depending on the art being viewed, spend time reflecting on contemporary social issues, exploring ancient cultures, or meditating on the simple beauty of line and form.  Last year, almost 80 professors representing over 25 different university departments used the Carlos Museum in their teaching and training.  In addition, over 20,000 Atlanta area school children experienced the Museum’s collections and education programs.

2) Museum collections are held in the public trust.  Donors give works of art as well as funding to university museums because they trust the art will be used to benefit faculty teaching and student learning.  The idea that art collections can be viewed as an asset to be liquefied when tough financial times hit would destroy the trust extended to us by our donors and would cease any inclination to donate in the future.

3) The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University adheres to the Codes of Ethics of the American Association of Museum and the Association of Art Museum Directors, which state that works of art in museum collections are held as a public trust and that any proceeds of sale must only support the acquisition of new works.

Now, what exciting things are happening in your museum you ask?  We have a new exhibition up in the John Howett Gallery titled, Modern and Contemporary Masters: Highlights from the Works on Paper Collection.  We are very pleased to display this stellar selection of 20th-century works on paper, many gifted by Museum friends and members, which range from photographs and prints to drawings.

The Education Department has two new additions to its award-winning array of podcasts, which you can read about in these pages.  They are also preparing for Tibet Week and the visit of two of the world’s finest thangka painters who will be in residence during the week’s festivities.  And, they are finalizing an exciting lineup for this summer’s Camp Carlos.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our renewing members, and if you are a new member, thank you and welcome to the Carlos Museum!  Membership is a crucial component of our fund raising efforts, enabling us to offer the highest quality product be it educational programming or exhibitions.  We are grateful for your support and commitment to the Museum.

As always, I look forward to seeing you in the galleries!

Bonnie Speed
Director