Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Gardner.
Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is located in Spring, Texas, and is named after its primary benefactor, Pearl Fincher. Fincher was an art lover and philanthropist who passed away in 1999.
The museum’s building was originally the Barbara Bush Library. In 2005, the library moved to a larger location, and the building was repurposed as the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. The renovation was transformed the space into a modern, light-filled museum.
The museum’s mission is to provide access to high-quality works of art and to promote art education and appreciation in the community. The non-collecting practice allows the museum to offer a diverse range of exhibitions, drawing from public and private collections around the world. This approach also ensures that visitors always have something new and exciting to see.
Since its opening in 2008, the Pearl Fincher Museum has hosted numerous exhibitions, ranging from classic masterpieces to contemporary works by emerging artists. The museum also offers a range of educational programming for visitors of all ages, including lectures, art classes and workshops, and guided tours.
Overall, the Pearl Fincher Museum is a unique and engaging cultural institution that has made a significant contribution to the arts community in Spring, Texas, and beyond. Its commitment to accessibility and education has made it a beloved destination for art lovers of all backgrounds.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
2023 marks fifteen years since the museum opened its doors. After several challenging years overcoming damages from Hurricane Harvey and COVID-19 lockdowns, the museum is setting record attendance numbers. Visitation has grown 926% since 2020.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As the Director of the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, I am the chief invitation office. I am privileged to work in a field that I truly love. Every day, I get to bring the joy of art to the community, curate incredible exhibits, and create engaging programming that inspires people of all ages.
But my job doesn’t stop there. As any museum Director will tell you, fundraising is a crucial aspect of keeping our doors open and ensuring that we can continue to offer free admission to everyone who walks through our doors. And let me tell you, it’s a labor of love!
Before joining the Pearl Fincher Museum, I had the honor of directing a non-collecting museum in Virginia that the American Alliance of Museums accredited. When I was recruited to Texas, one of my primary goals was to get the Pearl Fincher Museum accredited as well. There are fewer than ten non-collecting museums in the entire country that have achieved this prestigious designation, so it’s a true testament to the quality and importance of our work.
Overall, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts team. From our incredible exhibits to our engaging programs, we’re committed to bringing the joy of art to our community and beyond.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the art museum industry. As museums around the world were forced to close their doors to the public, they had to adapt quickly to find new ways to engage with audiences and continue their missions of promoting art and education.
One of the biggest challenges for our museum during the pandemic was the loss of revenue from Gala cancelations, ticket sales, and other sources. Many museums rely on these funds to support their operations, so the sudden drop in revenue was a significant blow. The Pearl had to close temporarily. We took advantage of every resource available, so we learned to be persistent if nothing else.
Also, we had to shift our focus to digital platforms to engage with audiences. The Pearl created virtual tours of their exhibitions, offered online art lessons, and developed interactive activities for children and families. While these digital offerings allowed museums to continue to reach audiences, they could not fully replicate the in-person experience of visiting a museum.
The pandemic also had a significant impact on the art world itself, with many traveling exhibitions being postponed, which forced us to cancel some of our own exhibitions. This disrupted the supply chain of the art market and made it difficult for us to acquire work to sell in our museum store.
Despite the challenges, we found ways to adapt and thrive during the pandemic. We reopened with safety protocols in place while continuing to offer virtual exhibitions and programming. The pandemic has forced the art world to think creatively and innovatively, and it will likely have lasting effects on how museums operate in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pearlmfa.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearlfinchermfa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlfinchermfa/
Image Credits
Courtney Gardner
Tammy Niemeyer
