Encounters with(in) Africa

FAIN: GE-50224-10

Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Minneapolis, MN 55404-3506)
Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers (Project Director: August 2009 to July 2012)

Planning for the reinstallation and reinterpretation of the African Galleries.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) requests $40,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to plan for a radical new reinstallation of its Africa Galleries, a project with a projected total budget of $113,221. This planning project, Encounters with(in) African Art, is driven by the idea of multiplicity-that both the past and present of this massive continent are vibrant, varied, and dynamic. The transformed Africa Galleries will challenge perceptions that Africa is culturally homogenous by highlighting the many Africas. Exploring the multiple cultural encounters that have taken place over the centuries within the continent and between Africa and other continents, the galleries will highlight Africa's diverse artistic output, both historic and contemporary. Encounters with(in) African Art will result in a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the new Africa Galleries and supporting educational programs at the MIA.