past exhibition

New Galleries at the Currier

New acquisitions and old favorites in new contexts

The Currier Museum has recently completed the reinstallation of many of our galleries, including the entire second floor. The new galleries develop themes which cut across European, American, and Asian cultures, and combine historic and contemporary works.

Guests are invited to explore the museum’s collection in new contexts with the inclusion of striking new additions.

A 19th-Century Collection

Collectors historically sought interesting objects from all over the world, a trend encouraged by international trade. The idea that Americans collected only American art is false. Moreover, artists came from all over the world to work in the United States, and many of the most famous American painters have strong international connections.

Nature and Nostalgia

American landscape paintings tapped optimistic memories. The 19th and 20th centuries were periods of tremendous change brought by war, industrialization, and the growth of cities. Views of nature reminded viewers of a simpler, rural past.

While landscapes often avoid social problems, they sometimes address the destruction of nature. Philip Guston and Musa McKim’s paintings show how the White Mountains were restored after brutal destruction. Manchester’s massive mills were similarly saved from demolition, as shown by Charles Sheeler.

upcoming exhibitions

past exhibitions

Archived material on past exhibitions can be explored further here, and recent past exhibition catalogues are available through the museum shop.

artist in residence

Our Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program invites artists to live and work at the museum. While in residence, artists consider the collection and community, and refresh our perspectives on the role of the museum. The program is central to the Currier Museum’s mission of connecting our audiences with art and creative thinking, whether of the past or the future. We hope to learn from our visiting artists – and be surprised by their perspectives.

Artists working in all media participate in the AIR program, which has three main components: 1) an open call to support emerging artists making socially engaged art; 2) an invitational through which artists are selected to develop special projects, commissions, or exhibitions; and 3) artist-led, community-centered public art projects in the city of Nashua, NH.

 

Open Call for Artist in Residence Applications

Our annual open call is currently live from October 1 – December 1, 2022. Artists who share the museum’s goal of positively impacting communities through the transformative power of art are encouraged to apply to this residency.

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