November 2003

UM targets new art museum
Nelson Britt is a man on a mission.

His mission: Secure a permanent home for the more than 8,000 pieces of artwork owned by The University of Montana.

“I think it will be a great challenge to get a museum on this campus,” said Britt, hired two months ago to serve as the director of UM’s Montana Museum of Art and Culture. “But my goal is to create a compelling case for why there should be a museum on this campus.”

UM’s collection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and ceramics is spread throughout the UM campus. Some of the artwork is exhibited in two galleries located in the Performing Arts and Radio/TV Center. Other pieces are displayed in various campus buildings, while some of the collection is in storage.

The UM collection includes outstanding pieces of Asian, Montana and 20th Century American art.

“This is a very valuable collection,” Britt said. “It needs to be properly stored and exhibited.”

Britt, who has been in the museum business for 18 years, said that the challenge of building a home for the collection on campus was one of the primary reasons he left a museum director’s position in Dubuque, Iowa, to come to UM. He said he has been involved in the construction of other museums — which he believes made him an attractive candidate for UM.

“I have a strong performance record of working with other museums around the country,” Britt said. “And I believe this University, with the outstanding collection of work collected over decades, deserves to have a proper museum for its assets to be exhibited and maintained so that students, staff and the public have the opportunity to visit the University collection.”

Britt has held positions as a museum or art director in Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois and Massachusetts during his career.

Britt said he intends to work with artists and various departments on the UM campus to develop an overall appreciation of what museums can provide.

“I believe the most rewarding aspect of the museum business for me is to help people to appreciate human accomplishment,” Britt said.

Since arriving at UM, Britt said he has been focused on meeting people.
“I haven’t even had time to familiarize myself with the collection yet,” Britt said. “My first task as museum director has been to have high visibility on campus, in the community and throughout the state.”

He said he hopes to have a timeline for development of a museum within six to eight months.

Britt said the UM administration is very supportive of the idea of creating a central museum on campus.

“I go home every night with the feeling that I’m glad I made the decision to come here,” Britt said.

The museum Britt envisions for UM will not just be a showcase of artwork. He said it’s important that the facility serves as an interactive environment for classes and departments on campus.

“As the museum director on this campus, I feel it is very important that the museum is not just an island upon itself. It needs to be a museum that provides programs and opportunities for all disciplines on campus."

University Relations | Cary Shimek, Editor
The University of Montana-Missoula
32 Campus Drive | Missoula, MT 59812
phone (406) 243-2522 | fax (406) 243-4520
© 2004 The University of Montana