Press Release

Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) to receive $10,000 grant from the Arizona Humanities

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Arizona Humanities to support Enduring Legacies: The James T. Bialac Indigenous Art Collection, an exhibition of Indigenous Art featuring late 20th- early 21st century paintings and works on paper, opening January 2023 in the John K. Goodman Pavilion. The grant will enable TMA to engage in both scholarly and community endeavors that include collaborative content development with community-based humanities scholars, printed exhibition materials, docent training, and public programming. This exhibition is deeply connected to Arizona histories, cultures, and art, as it will feature Indigenous artists from the state and the Southwestern U.S. and spotlights the collection of a known Arizona collector, James T. Bialac.

Christine Brindza, Senior Curator, Glasser Curator of Art of the American West, and the exhibit’s organizer, says, “This grant will aid in the development of a multivocal exhibition that celebrates artists of the region and this significant art donation to the museum. By working with Indigenous community scholars, the exhibition will provide opportunities for discussion and showcase Indigenous art as a relevant, impactful, and important form of contemporary art of the region.”

TMA has maintained a permanent collection gallery dedicated to the showcasing of Indigenous artworks since 2017, and current exhibitions demonstrate a revitalized interest in that area. The Indigenous Arts gallery reopened in March 2021, with a wider footprint inside the museum than prior exhibitions, and was reflective of a new curatorial model where TMA staff partnered with creatives from Indigenous communities in its exhibition development. Enduring Legacies: The James T. Bialac Indigenous Art Collection indicates the ongoing commitment of TMA to foster relationships with these communities and appeal to audiences of all backgrounds.

###

About the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block

As an institution built upon the original territories of the O’odham, the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) acknowledges the Indigenous Sonoran Desert communities, past and present, who have stewarded this region throughout generations.

TMA connects art to life through meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity and promote cultural understanding. Founded in 1924, TMA encompasses an entire city block in historic downtown Tucson and is committed to developing quality exhibitions, expanding and diversifying its collection and presenting relevant and innovative programs while broadening public access to the arts.

The museum features exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary art, Latin American art from ancient to today, Indigenous arts and Art of the American West. A permanent collection of over 12,000 works of art spans continents, centuries and media. TMA’s campus includes five properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an art education center and research library, the Museum Store and the highly acclaimed museum restaurant Café a la C’Art. TMA is a private 501(c)(3) charitable arts and education organization. For additional information visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org or call (520) 624-2333.

TMA is a private 501(c)(3) charitable arts and education organization. For additional information visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org or call (520) 624-2333.

About the Arizona Humanities

Website: www.azhumanities.org

Mission: Arizona Humanities builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.

Arizona Humanities is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the Arizona affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1973, Arizona Humanities has supported public programs that promote understand of the human experience with cultural, educational, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona.