The PCC Foundation welcomed Kristina Newhouse, a curator of the University Art Museum at CSU Long Beach and an editor for X-tra Contemporary Arts Quarterly, to give a talk about her knowledge of the art industry on Friday, December 4.
Newhouse spoke about the changing demographics of the country, relating it to the evolution of the art world.
After noticing an absence of visitors at the CSU Long Beach Museum, she surveyed students and discovered that 21 percent had never been to any type of museum throughout their lives, and 32 percent hadn’t been to a museum in over two years.
“Women are more likely to agree that it is important to learn about art in school, even if you’re not an artist. That to me is exciting. Women are also more likely to disagree that museums are more boring. That’s significant,” said Newhouse, showing data on a projected slide.
Acknowledging how the career of an artist used to be, she offered realistic advice to those aspiring to become well-known in their craft.
“You can’t be like Cinderella toiling away in your studio, assuming your fairy godmother is going to come and say, ‘You’re a genius, and I’m going to put your artwork in this space.’ That’s not how it works so much anymore,” she said.
In the case of someone considering work in art history or museums, she suggested that it is most important to keep the audience in mind.
A short segment of questions and answers followed, when the presence of food trucks was brought up for having an impact on museum attendance. Added attractions such as food trucks bring in a larger amount of attendees, who are more likely to return if they are joined by family or friends.
When asked about the effect that technology has had on art chosen for museums, Newhouse explained how selections for galleries are now done online.
Artist and part-time PCC student Jacqueline Lucero was among the students who felt that listening to Newhouse’s talk was beneficial.
“I go to a lot of lectures around LA, and I have to say, this was amazing,” said Lucero. “It’s great to hear what she thinks of the scene in Long Beach. I’ve been thinking about how it’s important to be active as an artist in your community, and that’s what she talked about. That was helpful.”
Newhouse will be the juror for this year’s Student Juried Show at PCC.
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