Ahead of the highly anticipated re-opening of the Princeton University Art Museum (PUAM), members of the campus community shared their questions with The Daily Princetonian about the museum, its opening, and the role the facility will play in campus life.
The ‘Prince’ got answers to these questions in an advance tour of the new building with Director for Collections and Exhibitions Chris Newth and PUAM spokesperson Stephen Kim.
What dining and food options will the museum have?
There will be a new restaurant on the third floor of the museum, with big windows opening onto Dod Hall to the west and a terrace with seating. Mosaic Restaurant, which will open on Nov. 1, will feature a brunch menu and a specialty beverage from Small World Coffee. Its full menu is expected to be “published on our website early next week,” according to PUAM spokesperson Morgan Gengo. It will operate Thursday through Monday, opening at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. over the weekend, and it will close at 3 p.m. each day. Like all on-campus dining locations, it will accept University dining points.
On the ground floor, the Grand Hall — “the heart of the building,” according to Newth — will serve as a gathering space where museum visitors will be permitted to bring in outside food and beverages.
Will students have opportunities to study and gather at the museum?
The museum includes study spaces, including spaces equipped with outlets, as well as lecture halls and classrooms for University courses. Marquand Library will not open until January. Newth said that “People can really camp out if they want. We designed this space to be for the community.”
While the museum’s galleries will not be open to access 24/7, students will be able to “come in and hang out” in the building from 8 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
What kinds of exhibitions will the museum have? How often will they rotate? Why should I go to PUAM over galleries in New York City?
The museum is laid out around nine main pavilions, each consisting of multiple galleries. The pavilions are primarily based on various geographical areas, such as a European Art Pavilion and an Ancient Mediterranean Art Pavilion. 31 of the museum’s galleries, two of which are temporary, are located on the second floor; one gallery of temporary exhibitions is located on the main floor to put collections on the same physical level.
Notable pieces returning to the museum from its previous iteration include Antioch mosaics, a Guanyin sculpture, and Andy Warhol’s “Blue Marilyn.” Also returning to the museum is the Charles Willson Peale painting “Washington at Princeton,” which Newth said is one of the museum’s most well-known paintings.
The museum will also include plenty of additions, both from the museum’s collection not previously displayed and new additions, including a “700% increase” in African art, according to Newth.
Only about four percent of the entire PUAM collection will be available for viewing at a time. Installations will be changed out regularly, ensuring that exhibits are relevant to teaching and community needs, though certain objects may remain on view for extended periods of time. Exhibitions will be scheduled and announced in advance for the museum’s three dedicated temporary exhibition spaces.
When comparing PUAM to New York galleries or other major spaces, Newth said that Princeton has “had the unique history of collecting art since 1755, and that has allowed us to build strengths in a number of our areas ... the ancient Americas, the Asian art, ancient Mediterranean,” noting that Princeton has “collections and objects that are in the textbooks.”
Art@Bainbridge, the museum’s contemporary collection on Nassau Street, will continue to operate alongside the new museum.
What should visitors expect at the museum’s 24-hour opening event?
PUAM developed the 24-hour opening event with the intention that students can visit the open house “when it works for them.”
The open house will have programming the entirety of the 24 hours, including drop-in art making in the new Creativity Labs and various self-guided, in-gallery activities to explore.
The opening coincides with Halloween, a popular night out on campus, so PUAM staff anticipate a variety of visitors at a variety of hours. “If people are out and they don’t want to go back to their dorms, they can come over here for a movie,” Newth said. “If you’re out on the town, please come by. We have a lot of comfy chairs so people can rest after being out.”
Meanwhile, for young ones, the schedule includes children’s movies beginning at 7 a.m. on Nov. 1. The opening event is free for all visitors.
PUAM will also host a Student Preview for all undergraduate and graduate students on Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; it will feature food, drinks, performances, film screenings, art making, dancing, and a headliner DJ set by Grammy-winning producer DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Isabella Roberts is a News Contributor for the ‘Prince’ from Ellicott City, Md.
Victoria Davies contributed reporting.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Princeton formally dedicates renovated Prospect house spaces with focus on diversity
Oliver Wu and Toby ChangOn Wednesday, the University held an event to dedicate the renovated spaces inside Prospect House for 12 individuals who helped to shape the University and the world.
On Wednesday, the University held an event to dedicate the renovated spaces inside Prospect House for 12 individuals who helped to shape the University and the world.
Checking off your non-academic Princeton bucket list
Devon WilliamsContributing writer for The Prospect Devon Williams shares her Princeton bucket list essentials.
Contributing writer for The Prospect Devon Williams shares her Princeton bucket list essentials.
No. 6 men’s soccer and No. 2 Bryant play to scoreless draw after fierce showdown
Kai KimMen’s soccer fought No. 2 Bryant to 0–0 draw last night in a top-five matchup at Roberts Stadium. After a slow start, the Tigers dominated the second half and had multiple chances late to pull out the win.
Men’s soccer fought No. 2 Bryant to 0–0 draw last night in a top-five matchup at Roberts Stadium. After a slow start, the Tigers dominated the second half and had multiple chances late to pull out the win.