Winter 2016

Winter 114 www.afamag.com | w ww.incollect.com being kept in climate-controlled conditions, the archives were relegated to boxes; a solution needed to be found. A 17,500-square- foot building was located in Long Island City, Queens, and renovated to include HVAC, security, offices, storage space, and a library and reading room overseen by librarian Louise Masarof. Rapaport archivist, Mimi Lester is the museum’s first named position. Says Radice, “An archivist is a key position because it sends the message that what’s important to us is our collection.” The Collections and Eduation Center (CEC), which opened in early 2015, also has gallery space, with exhibitions that change several times per year—an exhibition on quilts is currently on view. Melvin Way (b. 1954), Untitled, 2014. New York City, NY. Ballpoint pen on paper with Scotch tape, 11½ x 3½ inches. American Folk Art Museum, New York; Gift of Harriet G. Finkelstein (2015.15.1). Photo by Adam Reich. New Acquisition. Did You Know: You can support AFAM’s free admission, programs, and educational initiatives by becoming a member. Learn about programming by signing up for AFAM’s newsletter. AFAM’s curatorial staff was also increased. Stacy Hollander, who was made deputy director of curatorial affairs, has been joined by Dr. Valérie Rousseau, who oversees the self-taught and art brut collections. Their exhibitions have attracted national and international attention, with a show Dr. Rousseau curated— When the Curtain Never Comes Down —being named by The New York Times as one of the ten best of the year in 2015. In addition to being an important vehicle for collections exposure, the Center also helps build community outreach. “We are working on a children’s book, to be published in English and Arabic, which is a direct result of responding to our varied audiences in Queens,” says Radice. “The original artwork from the book will be exhibited in the CEC gallery.” In addition, Radice has reached out to the Mellon Foundation with a proposal for a program for young people interested in a museum career but without the resources to pursue one. She successfully initiated a partnering project with LaGuardia Community College (in AFAM’s Long Island City neighborhood). “We just finished our first year of the paid internship program,” she states proudly. “One student just got a scholarship to Hunter College and she’s interested in pursuing conservation.” Tasked with “getting the art out,” Radice’s next step was to develop a five-year exhibition plan. The Ford Foundation helped the museum explore how best to sync exhibitions with educational opportunities and, in a continual effort to stay relevant and connected with audiences, AFAM conducts regular visitor surveys that help guide decisions, such as keeping exhibitions installed for longer periods of time. “We have the right mix,” notes Radice,