Is The Norton Changing Its Spots?

Although I would not expect museum directors, say, to agree, I was cheered when I read a recent article about the Norton Museum of Art in the Palm Beach Daily News headlined “New Norton exec Alswang, economy redesigning art museum’s cultural identity.” But maybe not for the reasons you’d think.

The article, published last Saturday, contained these passages:

The Norton Museum’s 2011-12 exhibition schedule doesn’t look much like those of the past….

Noticeably absent is a big, scholarly touring exhibition of older art…

“The emphasis is not going to be on the collection as such or the wonderful collection that Ralph Norton left,” said Jeane von Oppenheim, whose 1998 gift of 684 photographs jump-started the Norton’s photography collecting. “The emphasis will be on whatever is fun, pleasing and easy to look at, and whatever gets the most people into the museum.” She’s concerned that her collection of mostly older photographs will remain in storage.

The “Alswang” in the headline is, of course, Hope Alswang (above), who was named director of the Norton in April, 2010. She defended what looks like a decided turn toward the contemporary — the fall lineup includes shows for Jenny Saville and Tacita Dean, plus one called Cocktail Culture, which the PBDN says focuses on fashion and design — by saying that “We love all our children equally.” The other children she refers to are less-than-contemporary art.

The Norton blamed the current slant in part on the interregnum period before Alswang took over, when planning was delayed. Too, though the article didn’t say, the Norton has received funding for a series of shows about women artists, of which the Saville show is one (more about which more another time).

The PBND also discussed possible economic reasons for the shift in an accompanying article, but Alswang instead offered “the grip contemporary art has on the public imagination as a reason for paying more attention to it.” The newspaper countered that with the fact that “it’s uncertain whether the local community will find it as fascinating as do the people who flock to Art Basel Miami Beach. The Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art withered for lack of attendance.”

So why was I cheered by this tit-for-tat exchange, which basically left the reader to read between the lines and make up her own mind?

Based on my limited exposure to it, the Norton was already updating itself, though perhaps it could have used a little more of that. Still, I don’t think it should be undergoing a stealth transformation. If it wants to change its identify, fine assuming the board’s approval, but let’s have that acknowledged and let’s have the press cover it. How many museums face indifference by local newspapers? So what the PBDN is doing is a good thing.

It’s especially good because I find the Norton’s website wanting. For example, I couldn’t check the description of Cocktail Culture printed in the newspaper because there are no listings under “Future Exhibitions.” In the press area, only one press release is posted. On the plus side, the museum’s staff members (department level) are listed, by name, number and email. But for such small things, it’s easier, and better, to go directly to the site instead of a person.

Maybe, I’m hoping, the lack of such basic information is the result of end-of-summer lackadaisy.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Providence Journal