If you have not visited the Bayly Art Museum yet, you've missed your chance. The art museum has returned to its original name, the University of Virginia Art Museum, and the Bayly Art Museum is no more.
The change is part of an arts initiative that began with University President John T. Casteen III's 2020 commission. The commission is focused on strengthening the University's arts, sciences, public outreach, international studies and athletics.
According to Jill Hartz, director of the museum, the understanding behind the 2020 plan is that "to be one of the best research universities in the country, you have to have excellence across the board."
As part of the plan, the museum, which Hartz says is "stymied by the buildings" it occupies, hopes to relocate to a new building to be constructed in the next few years as part of an arts village near Carr's Hill. The new arts village will include renovated buildings as well as new structures. The prospective museum space would be "just across the railroad tracks, looking out over the Colonnades," according to Vice Provost Cloris Philipps.
If the museum gets to relocate, the Bayly name will stay where it is. "The name has to stay with the building," Hartz said. She also noted that the new name "associates [the museum] with a class act. It provides visibility and identity."
Third-year College student Mitch Anstey, a former museum volunteer, expressed a different sentiment about the name change.
"I thought that calling it the Bayly Art Museum gave it some character -- a separate entity from the University," Anstey said.
Ultimately, the museum's advisory board made the final decision to return to the original name. The board is comprised of local and national alumni who play a role in the administration. The local board members were unavailable for comment.
In addition to providing visibility, the new museum building is "a naming opportunity" that will "encourage people to give [the museum] a lead gift," Hartz said.
The arts village will also provide "many other naming opportunities, such as galleries and auditoriums," Philipps said.
Philipps added that she does not have anything to report at this time in the way of a large gift. Still, Hartz stressed that she "like[s] to think positively that this will work."
The museum has asked for 41,000 gross square feet of new space and will need to raise $30 million in private funds, which will delay the beginning of construction. The museum is not eligible for public funding, unlike buildings such as Fayerweather Hall, which is marked for remodeling.
Hartz said she is not daunted by the figure, and said she raises money any way she can, especially through sponsorship of exhibits. For example, the Weedon Foundation is underwriting the current exhibit of 17th century Chinese porcelain at the University, making the University of Virginia Art Museum the only east coast venue for the tour.
Hartz also said last year's accreditation by the American Association of Museums gives the museum more prestige, while "putting a certain amount of pressure" on the museum to change locations. The accreditation is for five years instead of the normal 10 because of climate control issues in the Bayly building. If the museum moves to a new facility, the new building can be more carefully tailored to maintain its accreditation.
The Bayly building itself has not always served as an art museum. It was built in 1935 with funds from Evelyn May Bayly Tiffany in honor of her father, Thomas H. Bayly, an early graduate of the University.
The museum was closed during the World War II, but reopened in 1946. In the early 1960s, due to a shortage of space at the University, the galleries were turned into classrooms. After a surge of new construction projects in the 1970s, the Bayly was able to reopen in 1973 and has not closed since.
Hartz explained that the museum considers the 1973 opening its official beginning, and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in the fall. The museum's budget has increased almost five fold in those three decades.
While the museum caters to the entire Charlottesville community, it focuses on opportunities for students. Many programs are targeted for students, and students serve as volunteers and docents in the museum itself. The museum is what Hartz calls a "teaching museum," and as a result she doesn't like to turn anyone away who wants to help. This year there are 10 full-time employees as well as 200-300 volunteers comprised of docents and students brought to the museum by internships, fellowships and endowments.
The willing volunteer staff helps the museum offer interactive programs to the University and Charlottesville communities. Fourth Fridays, formerly First Fridays, are an opportunity for students to mingle with residents and artists in a festive environment.
"Fourth Friday is [the museum's] way of allowing students a chance to see the new exhibitions and to get to speak with the artists themselves on occasion," Anstey said. "They do all of this in a social atmosphere that I think attracts students better than simply hoping the subject matter will entice them. It has to be interactive and they've done a great job."
The event has been gaining in popularity over the years. "If the museum had 50 people after a [First Friday] reception it was incredible. Now we get 300-400 people," Hartz said.
The museum brings traveling art exhibits to the University and often brings artists to present lectures on exhibits. Past visiting artists have included William Wegman, Allan Frumkin and Agnes Denes. The Blizzard Lectures, which brought these artists to the museum, is a program that allows the museum to find a "highly visible person and pay them a lot to come," according to Hartz.
In addition, the museum works with at-risk children in the community throughout the year and during a summer workshop with noted artists such as Sam Abell.
The museum inherits any art work donated to the University, and has amassed a permanent collection that includes two Rodin sculptures and Frederick Church's "Natural Bridge."
The museum also purchases works from student and faculty artists through a curriculum support fund, and helps students organize an exhibit once a year. The art museum also plans trips locally and abroad for members.
Clearly, unlike the Bayly name, the museum will retain its focus on students no matter where it is located.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | YesterdayWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 3 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
