The museum also supports substantial collaborations with contemporary artists who have used the collection as a jumping-off point for new work, as seen in recent exhibitions Allora & Calzadilla: Specters of Noon and Mona Hatoum: Terra Infirma. Yes, the Menil is known for its large collection of Surrealist artworks, along with satellite galleries dedicated to the works of Cy Twombly ( The Cy Twombly Gallery) and Dan Flavin ( Richmond Hall). Is that the case with the Menil Collection? At some art museums, visitors are drawn by one or a handful of famous pieces, or a particular collection. As you mentioned, entry to the Menil is free – how important is that?Īccessibility is at the core of the Menil Collection’s mission, as the museum is committed to its founders’ belief that art is essential to the human experience. Visitors in the Modern and Contemporary galleries at the Menil Collection. Dominique de Menil opened the Menil Collection on June 4, 1987. In 1941, they moved to Houston and became key figures in the city’s cultural scene, supporting and helping establish a number of local organizations. John and Dominique de Menil were French-American art collectors and philanthropists. Who were the de Menils? Can you give us a brief introduction? I also am grateful to be able to share information about the Menil with the broader Houston community, as admission to the museum and all of our programs are free, which makes it accessible to everyone. I enjoy working directly with artists and learning about their artmaking process. I spend a lot of my time in the galleries or researching upcoming exhibitions and artists to craft promotions. Each day is different, which is exciting. I lead the Menil’s marketing and communications team. Hi Sarah! Tell us what you do for the Menil and what a normal working day is like. To get an insider’s perspective of the Menil and its work, we spoke to Sarah Hobson, Assistant Director of Communications, about what to expect from a visit to Houston’s most famous museum. Thinking globally and acting locally, the working mission of the Menil Collection, inspired by its late founders, is to make this collection of art treasures accessible to all – entry to the Menil is, and will always be, free. No visit is the same, with the art rotating constantly to avoid what Dominique de Menil referred to as “museum fatigue”. It boasts one of the most important collections of Surrealist art anywhere in the world, as well as Byzantine and medieval relics, Indigenous art from across the globe, plus a strong catalogue of Modern and Contemporary art. The museum was a cultural gift to the city of Houston, and is filled with the life’s art collection of John and Dominique de Menil. Nestled within a quiet Houston neighborhood, surrounded by bungalows and green space, the Menil is a world-renowned art museum at the heart of its community. The Menil Collection isn’t your average museum.
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