Mission

Gerhard Marcks display, Preus Library, Main Floor

The Fine Arts Collection exists to support the general mission of the college by promoting awareness and understanding of a broad spectrum of artistic expression through diversity in media, culture, and historical perspective. As unique expressions of the human condition, works in the collection invigorate learning and teaching and provide expanded opportunities for study, research, and individual pleasure.

The Fine Arts Collection makes a number of unique contributions to the Luther community.

• Exhibits enrich the environment and provide exposure to original works of art, frequently in conjunction with curricular offering. Research opportunities are provided by the works themselves and by the extensive documentation which exists on most works of art and artists represented in the collection.
• Management of the collection provides practical experience in the care and conservation of museum resources.
• Loans from the collection represent the college both regionally and nationally and help build professional relationships with other institutions.
• Conferences and special programs developed from the collection, such as the Marguerite Wildenhain Centenary in 1996, stimulate interest in the college and draw visitors to campus.

In addition, the Fine Arts Collection is a valuable depository of the cultural heritage of the college. It preserves and promotes a sense of tradition and identity, but also challenges us to think beyond our own experience through exposure to the expressions of other cultures, times, and places. Acquisition and exhibition of significant works, which continue to support the curricular offerings of the college and provide aesthetic stimulation to viewers, enhances the educational experience for the campus and area community.