Henry Gallery Association, Inc. Programs
Exhibitions and Publications
Henry-developed exhibitions are recognized for their experimentation, thought-provoking content, and visual excitement. Many, such as "Kiki Smith: I Myself Have Seen It" and "Image Transfer: Pictures in a Remix Culture" have gone on to acclaimed national tours. "Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes" concluded its national tour at the Corcoran Gallery of Art after serving over 415,000 individuals in St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The Henry additionally shares its research through publications produced with international houses. Recent books include The Digital Eye: Photographic Art in an Electronic Age and Kiki Smith and Photography, both published by Prestel.
Educational Programs
Educational public programs engage people of all ages and backgrounds in the powerful experience of artistic innovation. The Henry takes advantage of the rich academic heritage of the University of Washington and the vibrant arts culture of our region to develop diverse public programs and encourage lifelong learning. The museum is particularly successful at engaging youth audiences through its K-20 programs and its partnership with Roosevelt High School, for which it was awarded a Golden Apple Award by KCTS 9.
Permanent Collection
The Henry's permanent collection of over 25,000 objects, including late 19th- and 20th-century painting, works on paper, a textile and costume collection, and a burgeoning array of cutting-edge works in new media formats, is a significant resource. The museum's holdings are accessible online via the Digital Interactive Galleries (DIG) project, through a collections search function, and with educational tools and resources available for viewing and/or download.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
With major support from individual donors, the Henry recently commissioned a site-specific, large-scale media project that will transform the façade of the museum’s main entrance. To better engage the thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors that pass the museum each day and to make the public face of the Henry more dynamic for all visitors, we initiated the Façade Window Project. “Sanctum,” an installation proposed by James Coupe and Juan Pampin, professors at the UW Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media, was selected following an international call. Planned to launch during spring 2013, the work integrates sound, visuals, and text to examine surveillance and profiling in today’s social media culture. “Sanctum” was selected from among 91 entries for its artistic merit and conceptual vigor.
A top goal of the Henry is to provide learning opportunities for K-20 students and general audiences. One of the ways we do this is through our rotating exhibitions of photography in the museum’s north galleries. The Henry counts a remarkable breadth of photographs and new media works as key holdings in its permanent collection. Photography and new media works comprise 2,600 objects representing the history of photography since its inception, as well as an exemplary range of new media and video works by notable contemporary artists.
The Henry seeks support for this significant resource for Pacific Northwest audiences. Exhibitions of photography allow us to reach our target audiences and to serve our community partners for the benefit of teens, adults, and families.