DeCordova and New England

DeCordova director Dennis Kois asked me to expand on the recent Rappaport Prize blog entry, in particular about my riff on whether there was a true New England connection. I’m glad he called because it’s worth noting a change in the focus of the award and the Lincoln museum and sculpture park.

First of all, Kois said the press release announcing the Rappaport Prize contained old language describing the award as recognizing "the excitement of world class art created by someone nurtured in New England." In fact, the DeCordova has decided to move away from the regional hook. The award could go to a New England artist in the future. But it doesn’t have to.

In addition, the DeCordova is going to move away from sticking purely with New England artists for its exhibition. Plus, the museum’s annual exhibition will be held once every two years – and be curated by a single person, not a group.

“That focus of New England art defined the museum in 1950 when it was established but I think the board and a lot of the audience began to realize that it was becoming less relevant as the art world has nationalized and internationalized,” Kois told me today. “In the context of what the museum shows, we think that we can be of service to New England art not by just showing it but by showing it with other art.”