Sheron Rupp Millensburg, Ohio (Amish Child with Watermelons), 1983

The Gallery encourages our visitors to explore the multiplicities and complexities of contemporary art by offering a wide spectrum of programs to audiences of all levels. The programs illuminate the significance of contemporary art and its connection to history and culture. All programs are free and most are open to the general public.

Artists' Talks - a series of conversations with artists whose work is shown in the Gallery. Those events usually take place in conjunction with the exhibition openings and provide insight into the artists' work and their unique vision and interpretation of the world.

In Conversation / Panel Discussions - we invite faculty to speak on issues of importance in their field of specialization, as they relate to our exhibitions and programs, through panel discussions, talks and tours held in the Gallery. The departments of English; the MFA Writing Program; History, Philosophy; Film Studies, Comparative Literature, to name just a few.

Gallery Talks - a quick introduction of the exhibition to audiences attending concert hall events. The talks are about 25 minutes long and allow enough time for the visitor to comfortably find their seats in the concert hall after the talk.

Symposia - in collaboration with academic departments of UMass, the day-long conferences with renowned scholars and presenters explore in-depth significant themes in contemporary art and culture. Through engaged discussions these symposia enhance and supplement educational opportunities and make special efforts to reach students outside the typical art field. These events foster interdisciplinary learning and collaborative approaches between the academic and the larger public communities.

Lectures - national and local speakers share their insights on contemporary art.

Visiting Artists' Program - University Gallery brings artists of national and international acclaim to UMass to exhibit their work, give public talks, and conduct critique sessions and portfolio reviews with students in the MFA Studio Art Program. Over the years, prominent artists from India, Russia, Switzerland, England, Holland, Morocco, Poland, and from across the US have provided mentorship and professional advice to UMass students who will soon begin their own careers. Limited access.

Art and Art History Careers: Roundtable - in collaboration with the Department of Art and Art History the University Gallery Is offering a spring workshop to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a museum career. The Roundtable presents different aspects of museum work such as curatorial, conservation, or education. It provides an important overview of career options, training, and challenges of museum and gallery work. Experts from the museum world participate in a panel discussion, giving immediate hands-on information on the specific nature of their jobs and offering real life experiences. The Roundtable series at the University Gallery represents a vanguard trend in universities and colleges offering insider professional information to students.

For more information please see the Calendar/Events page or contact us directly.

Permanent Collection - the University Gallery is proud to care for approximately 2,600 objects of late 20. Century works on paper. The collection, primarily photographs, drawings, and prints, is accessible for study and research in our study room. Our online database lets you search the collection and chose the works you wish to study. Please note that the University Gallery's collection is identified with UM in the accession number. You will then set up an appointment with us to view the selected works. To set up an appointment or for more information please call 413.545.1176 or email efierst@art.umass.edu.

Student Opportunities

Graduate student-curated exhibitions - we provide curatorial experiences to graduate students interested in museum careers. Students have researched, prepared, and organized special exhibitions from the Gallery's permanent art collection. During the process each student works in close consultation with their professor and Gallery staff, researches a concept and selects original art objects from the collection, writes object labels and a brochure, and gives a guided tour to the public.

Internships - UMass students are invited to apply for University Gallery Internships, which offer valuable experience in the everyday workings of a university art museum. These internships offer students invaluable experiential learning that is informative on both intellectual and practical levels. Tasks may include assisting with research for exhibitions, cataloguing works of art, helping with publicity, participating in exhibition installations, working on the Gallery's website, and giving gallery talks. Term and hours are flexible. If an intern's department offers academic credit for internships, we are glad to work with them in fulfilling the requirements. To apply, please send a current resume accompanied by a cover letter summarizing your past experience in the field of art and your plans for the future, along with an explanation of why you would like to intern at the University Gallery in particular. Please note: We strongly recommend visiting the gallery's current exhibition and exploring this web site before writing the cover letter.

Please send your current resume and cover letter to: Eva Fierst, Education Curator, efierst@art.umass.edu.

Work-Study Positions - Each year, several UMass students who are eligible for work-study serve at the front desk of the University Gallery. Their tasks include interacting with gallery visitors, answering questions, and monitoring gallery security.

For more information, please call 413-545-1176 or e-mail Eva Fierst, Education Curator: efierst@art.umass.edu.