The MSSU Department of Art and Design features a large permanent study collection of African art and artifacts. The gallery's African holdings are primarily made up of these individual collections:
The entirety of the MSSU African Art collection is housed within a 1,750 square foot, temperature and humidity controlled facility that includes an immersive museum studies classroom space. This allows students to have first hand experiences cataloging, researching, preserving and handling museum quality objects.
The MSSU African Art collection inspires a global perspective through the cultivation, preservation, and presentation of the art and culture of Africa. By encouraging a broader understanding of the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, exhibitions inform, delight, and challenge, while providing opportunities for innovative teaching, learning, and research.
Some individual objects of the MSSU African Art Collection have been “adopted” by generous donors who have given funds to help defray some of the costs of properly maintaining these objects, this list includes:
Sharon and Lance Beshore - Jared Bruggeman - Val Christianson - Marta Churchwell - Lane Clevenger - Michelle Ducre - George Greenlee - William Kumbier - Alan Marble - Richard Massa - Patricia Murphy - Nanette Philibert - Steven Wagner.
If you would like to adopt one of the objects in the collection to help with the cost’s associated with the proper preservation of it and the rest of our collection please contact:
Dr. Christine Bentley, Associate Professor
Spiva Gallery Director
bentley-c@mssu.edu
An advisory board made up of individuals representing the MSSU administration, Department of Art and Design, Institute for International Studies, Spiva Library, and Social Sciences Department ensures the safekeeping of this valuable collection of objects.
In 2020, the MSSU African Art Collection was one of seventy-five entities in the United States selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program, a joint effort through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. This grant provided for a visit by both a conservator and historic architect to study the collection, building and building systems as well as policies and procedures related to the collection and its management in order to develop a prioritized set of recommendations to improve the collections care.
In 2021, the collection was selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) administered by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This opportunity to help our collection strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet museum standards through self-study assessment and a consultative site visit from an expert peer reviewer was made possible through funding provided by the IMLS.
Jennifer Hein
Indianapolis, IN
Textile Technology & Historic Objects Specialist
Flag Conservator at Indiana War Memorials
Video
Amanda Keith
3 Crows Conjure
Indianapolis, Indiana
African Art Collection Cleansing
Video
