The Mint Museum Annual Report 2008 / 2009

Families loved the touchable
exhibits in Art Under
Construction at ImaginOn.
inTerPreTive PlAnning
This year, curators and educators alike took a dynamic approach to planning the presentation
of collections at both the new Mint Museum Uptown and the Mint Museum Randolph. For
more than a year, three cross-departmental Interpretive Teams have worked to identify the
American, Contemporary and Craft + Design objects to be installed in the new facility, the key
stories and themes that these artworks evoke, and ways to engage the public for meaningful
and memorable visits. The exciting results will unfold over the new Museum’s first year.
A fourth Interpretive Team is examining the reinstallation of the major collections at the
Randolph Road location, with a goal of keeping this historic facility as vibrant as ever.
The expansion will enable the Mint Museum Randolph to gain new space to showcase its
notable collections of Ceramics, Ancient American Art, and Historic Costume & Fashionable
Dress, as well as the European, Spanish Colonial, African, Asian and Native American art
collections, and Coins & Currency.
TesTing neW eDuCATionAl MoDels
To broaden the Museum’s service to an important and growing audience, a special Family
Gallery is being planned for the new facility. This space will serve as an introduction to the art
collections for families with children ages 2 to 10. With a Museums for America grant award
from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, educators conducted a year of research
and tested hands-on modules for the Family Gallery with children and parents. These
prototypes were exhibited in Art Under Construction, a 16-week exhibition held at ImaginOn
(Charlotte's unique children's library / theater) in spring 2009 that drew 84,000 people to test
out the modules. Interviews with visitors proved that the activities were attractive and sparked
family interactions and conversations.
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