When is art national? Conversation with Wim Pijbes and Nick Cullinan

Mon 9 May 2016

Fitzwilliam Museum

Free and open to all. No registration required.

Wim Pijbes, CRASSH Humanitas Visiting Professor in Art History 2015-16, will be in conversation with Dr Nicholas Cullinan, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery. They will discuss art and nationality. This is part of a series of events on the theme of how to make old masters museums relevant for today and the future. The event will be chaired by Tim Knox, Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

What are the challenges for a national museum in a globalizing world?

1. The museum: What is the role of a national museum, as institution, a) for the country and b) for the world?

2. The audience: Who do we serve and how? Is it soft power to enhance national values?

3. The collection: What are the criteria? Why Amy Winehouse, and who's next?

Wim Pijbes and Nicholas Cullinan will discuss the lessons learned. What they have found to be surprising, what they wouldn't do again and why. They will show the audience how much effort, thought and consideration they take in presenting art in its most appealing way to the audience, why they do that, and what the results of their efforts are.

The second in a series of three events on 'Old Masters Fit for the Future'.

Cost: Free