Next Talk Shop & CONVERGE
NEXT Talk Shop is a series of dynamic panels, talks and conversations on the sometimes knotty subject of contemporary art. Hear, see and participate in forming the ideas of a new wave of cutting-edge curators, critics and artists.
CONVERGE Chicago: Contemporary Curators Forum is a platform for curators and museum professionals to engage in dialogue surrounding the most pressing topics in curatorial practice today. The 2010 Advisory Committee includes James Rondeau, Art Institute of Chicago; Franklin Sirmans, The Menil Collection; Anthony Huberman, Contemporary Art Museum, Saint Louis; Hamza Walker, Renaissnance Society; and Julie Rodrigues-Widholm, MCA Chicago.
The theme of CONVERGE 2010 is Production of the New.
2009 Programs
2009 participants in both programs came from a spectrum of museums, collections, art centers and artist run spaces including the New Museum, The Power Plant, The Rose Museum, MOCA, North Miami and The Walker Art Center.
Friday, May 1
11am-12:15pm
Crisis and Opportunity: Programming and Exhibitions in the New Economy
CONVERGE Public Program
In recent months, museums and art centers have been forced to shave budgets, reduce programs and exhibitions and even cut hours and staff. Many curators, however, are successfully and creatively mounting ambitious and well-executed projects. In this panel, curators discuss innovative uses of the exhibition space and fresh approaches to programming that are fueled by big ideas rather than big budgets. Moderated by Brian Sholis, Artforum; Panelists include: Ruba Katrib, Miami MoCA; Benjamin Godsill, New Museum; Dean Sobel, Clyfford Still Museum; and Heather Pesanti, Albright Knox Museum.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
1-2:30pm
Doctor Artist: PhDs, MFAs, and the Future of Artistic Production
New Insight Public Program
From Black Mountain College in North Carolina to New York’s Art Student’s League, the United States has a rich history of art and education. But in spite of our often bohemian roots, collegiate art education may soon take a “doctoral” turn, as PhD programs in studio art are beginning to find their way into the United States. Join Art Historian James Elkins and students participating in the New Insight exhibition for a discussion that addresses the MFA program and its value today.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
2-3:30pm
Artists as Catalysts for New Ways of Working
Presented in coordination with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Chicago-based artist Catherine Sullivan, Mexican artist Pedro Reyes, Hammer Museum Director of Residency Programs Aimee Chang, and the MCA's Pamela Alper Associate Curator Julie Rodrigues Widholm discuss the many ways artist residencies-at institutions ranging from museums and universities to nonprofit spaces and private foundations-expand the role of the artist to include more collaborative methods of art-making that benefit both the artist and the institution.
Location: Merchandise Mart Conference Center
2:30-3:30pm
Art and Critique in an Obama Climate: A Conversation
Join Naomi Beckwith, Studio Museum of Harlem and Benjamin Godsill, New Museum as they address art, curating and criticality in the changing economic and political climate. Has there been a noticeable shift in critical practices or artistic strategies?
Location: Art Spot, Art Chicago Show Floor
3:30-5pm
The NEW: Collecting in an Expanded Art World
Over the last several years, new markets across the globe have been bursting with influence, producing rising artists, prolific collectors and innovative new galleries and museums. As a result, in the new marketplace, the exchange of art and ideas has not only become more global, but more rapid. An international group of art professionals and collectors known for traveling the globe in pursuit of new art will address buying, selling and working on a global scale. Panelists include Michael Danoff, Susan Goodman, David Hunt and Lowell Pettit.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
6pm
Rachel Mason Song of the Ambassadors, a performance featuring Dan Bitney of Tortoise on drums and assorted percussions.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th floor
Saturday, May 2
11am-12:30pm
Past, Present, Future: Curators Speak on the Three Biggest Challenges and Opportunities They Face Today
Four dynamic curators from regional museums will discuss their thoughts on the three biggest challenges and opportunities—from cultivating the generation of museum supporters and young collectors to dealing with growing permanent collections—facing their institutions and curatorial practices. Moderated by Stephanie Smith of the Smart Museum, panelists include Anthony Huberman, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis; Margo Crutchfield, Cleveland MOCA; Jane Simon, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; and Peter Eleey, Walker Art Center.
Location: Merchandise Mart Conference Center
11am-12:30pm
A Fine Art Claim: Appraisal, Insurance and Conservation
Presented by AXA Art Insurance and The Chicago Conservation Center
What protection plans do you have in place for your art collection, and how would you handle a fine art claim? On this panel discussion, leading experts in the field will offer details and examples of the fine art claim process from appraisal, to insurance and conservation along with suggestions for preventive measures and strategic planning. Panelsts include Heather Becker, CEO of The Chicago Conservation Center, Inc., Christiane Fischer, president and CEO of AXA Art Insurance Corporation and Jane C.H. Jacob, president and CEO of Jacob Fine Art.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
1-2:15pm
Curating and Context
CONVERGE Public Program
This panel discussion will address the support of local emerging artists in the context of an international exhibition program. How does a curator negotiate the integration of local and/or emerging artists into such a platform alongside globally well known artists? When is it right to present young practices alongside those that are more developed? Curators discuss their strategies. Moderated by Helena Reckitt, Power Plant, Toronto. Panelists include: Shamim Momin, Whitney Museum; Christopher Cook, Kemper Art Museum; and Kris Douglas, Rochester Art Center.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
2:30-4pm
Museums on the Line: Cutbacks, Closures and Opportunites
CONVERGE Public Program
Michael Rush, director of the Rose Museum of Art at Brandeis University, will lead a discussion about how recent and dramatic shifts in the economic and political climate have profoundly affected virtually every aspect of museum practice. Panelists include Anthony Hirschel, director of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Using Rose Museum de-accessioning controversy as a starting point for an extended dialogue, this panel will address museum de-accessioning practices; the symbolic value of public collections; institutional transparency; and the role of the museum in tough times.
Location: Merchandise Mart Conference Center
4-5:30pm
Beyond Collecting: New Models for Contemporary Art Collections
Just as institutions are taking more inventive approaches to collecting, there have been remarkable shifts in the building of private and corporate collections which exemplify new, alternative models for collections. Featuring panelists known for their innovative collecting practices, the discussion will address new strategies for acquiring, displaying and preserving art collections. Moderated by Paige West, The West Collection, panelists include Victor Zamudio Taylor, Jumex Collection; Jacqueline Lawrence, curator, The UBS Art Collection; Sandy Kemper, The Collectors Fund; and Jennifer Phelps, art director of the Chambers Luxury Art Hotel.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th Floor
5:30-6:15pm
In Conversation: Hamza Walker and Ben Gest
NEXT Talk Shop Lounge kicks off this one on one series of emerging artist and curator conversations with curator Hamza Walker, the Renaissance Society, and artist Ben Gest.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop Lounge, 7th floor
Sunday, May 3
11am-12:30pm
Art and the Shape of the City: Curating, Education and Collaboration
Moderator Wellington Reiter, President, School of that Art Institute of Chicago leads a lively discussion with regional museum curators addressing art, urban development and the re-imagination of city spaces through education and collaboration.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th floor
11am-12:30pm
Art and the New Economy
Presented by ArtTable
Join Paul Morris, Vice President of the MMPI Art Group, for a discussion about art and the changing economy. Focusing on positive and effective ways to navigate challenging times, this discussion will explore funding, collecting and the market. Panelists include Sarah Herda, executive director of the Graham Foundation, Rhona Hoffman, Rhona Hoffman Gallery, and Dominic Molon, MCA Chicago.
Location: Merchandise Mart Conference Center
1-2pm
Inside Contemporary Indian Art
An examination of the contemporary Indian art phenomenon from its rapid ascent to its ultimate longevity within the global art market. Presented by Dr. Arani Bose, Collector & Founder of Bose Pacia / Nature Morte (New York, New Delhi, Kolkata, Berlin)
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th floor
2-3:30pm
The Creative Collector: Collectors on Building Collections and Supporting Institutions
This panel brings together four emerging and established collectors who act locally but think and collect globally. The collectors on this panel are committed not only to their own broad acquisitions, but also to their local institutions. Collectors will discuss the artists and artworks they collect and how they use their role as a collector to support the outreach efforts of their local institutions while encouraging the mobilization of new supporters in difficult economic times. Moderated by Jeremy E. Steinke, art historian, consultant, collector and Chair of the Intervals exhibition series at the Guggenheim, New York, panelists include Curt Conklin, Chicago; Susan Sherman, Saint Louis; Peter Remes, Minneapolis; and Steve Russell, Indianapolis.
Location: Merchandise Mart Conference Center
2:30-3:30pm
Alternative Spaces and the Creative Current
Join Allison Peters, Hyde Park Art Center; Independent Curator, Britton Bertran; gallerist Jen Bekman and Heather Hubbs, Director NADA, as they discuss alternative spaces and today's market place. Addressing curatorial practices, innovative programming, creative funding models and inventive marketing this panel offers insight to moving forward in this economic climate.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th floor
4-5pm
Doing it Together: Artist-Run Support Networks
Presented in coordination with InCUBATE, an experimental research institute and artist residency program dedicated to new approaches to arts funding. Panelists include: Randall Szott, The Department of Aesthetics, Chicago; Sara Black + Robin Hewlett, Backstory Café’ at the Experimental Station, Chicago; and Tracy Candido, Sweet Tooth of the Tiger, New York.
Location: NEXT Talk Shop, 7th floor