2010-11-15T05:54:00.000-08:00

Founded on the idea that art should be a part of daily life, Burt Chernow, an art historian, established the Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) in 1967. Over the course of forty years, he built a significant collection of more than 4,000 objects, a portion of which are on display throughout our 300,000 square foot facility. The collection includes significant examples of art from every part of the world, with an especially strong showing of works by U.S. artists that date from the 1960s and 1970s. Chernow’s unique vision is manifest in a setting that allows students to “live with” art, to increase learning, to promote critical thinking, and to enhance their lives.

The Burt Chernow Galleries present a wide range of changing exhibitions that include traveling shows as well as original exhibitions curated by museum staff and guest curators. In addition, Beacon Hall has a special “Community Gallery” space, which provides a showcase for smaller displays that highlight underserved or underrepresented artists or address community issues.

The Housatonic Museum of Art also encourages collaborative programming around the permanent collection and temporary shows, working with the Housatonic Community College faculty and students to create projects that activate the collection in meaningful ways through the use of artworks, texts, interpretation, and new directions in contemporary art.

Refresh, the reinstallation of the permanent collection throughout the campus, was initiated by Director Robbin Zella and Curator Terri C. Smith. Artists include: Arman, Larry Bell, Christo, Hans Bellmer, Elaine de Kooning, Valerie Jadoun, Alex Katz, Craig Kauffman, Jeff Koons, Sylvia Sleigh, Raphael Soyer, and Larry Zox.