Diederich Art Gallery & Art Annex Vision, Mission & Objectives
Vision – Forward looking aspirations
The School of Art Diederich Art Gallery and Art Annex strives to create a thoughtful, dynamic teaching and learning destination for faculty, students and the community where diverse and contemporary topics and issues are explored.
Mission – Broad brush strokes
The School of Art Diederich Art Gallery and Art Annex will maximize visual art experiences while engaging university students, faculty, and residents of Moorhead-Fargo and surrounding communities. Programming aims to foster an understanding of art, and support artists through exhibitions, lectures workshops and other educational opportunities cultivating an environment that nurtures creativity and intellectual growth.
Objectives – Fine brush strokes
- Education, Exhibitions and Programming:
- Serve the curriculum and students of the School of Art through programming such as exhibitions, workshops, lectures, visiting artists and other educational opportunities.
- Fulfill School of Art student BFA exhibition requirements every semester with a professional gallery setting and experience and fulfills SoMADE’s GID BFA senior student exhibition requirement.
- Organize a juried student exhibition each spring semester that is open to all student work created in an MSUM School of Art class during the current academic year.
- Arrange an MSUM School of Art faculty exhibition each fall semester on a recurring schedule.
- Professionalism and Engagement:
- Mount quality professional exhibits that showcase gallery best practices in installation, lighting, communication, printed materials, student training, as well as student, artist and visitor experiences.
- Introduce visitors to a diverse range of art concepts, media and styles representing a variety of regional, national and international artists.
- Provide opportunities for increasing appreciation and understanding of the visual arts, by a variety of means including visiting artists, handouts, contextual information, labels, tours, lectures, workshops, etc.
- Provide work experience for students interested in museum and gallery operations.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility:
- Collaborate with other university departments to provide lectures, readings, and other programming that pertains to diverse exhibits and audiences.
- Provide programming and opportunities that introduces visitors to a diverse range of art concepts, media, styles and topics representing a variety of regional, national and international artists.
- Promote accessible and free programming practices whenever feasible.
- Supporting Artists and the Art Community:
- Build relationships and provide opportunities for students, alumni, arts organizations and both established and emerging artists throughout the region to support the value and power of art in communities and society.
- Establish the Art Annex as a well-functioning programmed alternative space available for proposals, local artists, alumni and student organizations with the intention of stimulating and nurturing critical thinking through creative output.