Preview - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

10 PREVIEW
PAFA AnnOunCES
new Curatorial
Internship Program
with Philadelphia
Insurance Companies
As the only program of its kind in the region, PAFA
announced the launch of a new partnership with the
Philadelphia Insurance Companies. The new internship
opportunity allows a PAFA graduate student to curate
administrative offices, halls and common rooms of the
Philadelphia Insurance Companies with artwork by
PAFA students.
James Maguire, chairman of the Philadelphia Insurance
Companies, is a passionate supporter of the arts and
enthusiastically endorses the innovative partnership.
“We are committed to building a lasting alliance with the
community of art educators and students at PAFA.”
Scott Schultheis was selected to curate the first exhibition
at the Philadelphia Insurance Companies. A first-year
MFA student at PAFA, Schultheis grew up in new york and
studied at the university of Rochester before enrolling at
PAFA. During the spring semester, he managed installations
of work by PAFA students.
“It is up to me to put the call out for work, select
approximately 30-40 pieces per submission, transport and
install the work to the Philadelphia Insurance Companies
headquarters, with the help of their maintenance staff.
The exhibition is juried, with the help of a PAFA faculty
member,” says Schultheis. “I am thrilled that Philadelphia
Insurance Companies is fostering the arts this way and
look forward to exposing students’ work to an audience
and an environment that is unique in the realm of
conventional exhibition venues.”
PAFA’s new internship provides students with excellent
opportunities to study and apply important curatorial
and exhibition management practices. Jeffrey Carr,
Dean of the School, acknowledges the importance of the
collaboration. “I am delighted that our students have this
opportunity to exhibit their work at the headquarters of
Philadelphia Insurance Companies. This is another way to
advance the city’s art and culture.”
PAFA President David R. Brigham adds, “The Pennsylvania
Academy of the Fine Arts is extremely grateful to
James Maguire and the Philadelphia Insurance Companies
for their vision in recognizing the value of fine art in a
corporate environment. This internship and program support
emerging artists while enhancing the office space for
clients and employees alike; everyone benefits.”
PAFA offers unrivaled fine arts training in technical
skills, artistic abilities and studio practice. Advanced students
of all disciplines receive personal studio space and
are invited to exhibit their work in PAFA’s ground-breaking
Annual Student Exhibition, the nation’s oldest and largest
student show. <
“This internship and
program support
emerging artists
while enhancing the
office space for clients
and employees alike;
everyone benefits.”
— PAFA President
David R. Brigham
Photo: Diana Trevisani
Photo: Denise guerin Images
PAFA in Pictures
Below is a selection of events that took place over the past few months,
which celebrate the vibrancy of the school and museum.
Mayor Michael nutter cutting the ribbon to officially open the Tanner exhibition on January 27. Front row (left to right): PAFA President & CEO David R.
Brigham, Mellanie lassiter of PECO, Mayor Michael nutter, PAFA Curator Anna Marley, Museum Director Harry Philbrick. Back row: PAFA Board President
kevin Donohoe, Jeff gordon of PECO, Exelon Foundation President Steve Solomon, and PECO President & CEO Dennis O’Brien.
Tanner gallery Talk
Photo: Denise guerin Images David lynch posing in the Cast Hall.PAFA student Inga Brown enjoying PAFA After Dark: Turned On on March 8th.
Photo: Denise guerin Images
Photo: Sean Tucker
Performance artist Cynthia norton at the opening of her exhibition
Freedom Rings Placed Within on March 2.
// SPRIng/SuMMER 2012 // SEE FOR YOURSELF