They make a way. - Maryland Institute College of Art

Literally since the beginning of recorded history,
images have been the cornerstone of human
communication, history, and imagination. Visual
media are one of the foundations of civilizations,
and countless years after the first prehistoric
drawings were sketched, a visual image is
still worth a thousand words—even now in the
age of Twitter and texting. Internet giants like
Facebook and Google, for example, recently
spent billions on technology to upgrade their
users’ ability to share photos and images. Though
the Internet has exploded the ability for people
to share creative work across boundaries, oceans,
and cultures, however it hasn’t dampened the
enthusiasm for engaging with works of art in person.
The proof is in the numbers. On their travels, 78
percent of all U.S. leisure travelers participate
in cultural and/or heritage activities; they spend
63% more than other leisure travelers and tend to
stay longer than other tourists. Some 850 million
visits to America’s 17,000 plus museums by people
from all over the world prove the continued
popularity of these institutions. That’s more than
the number of people who attend sporting events
and theme parks—combined.
Art galleries in public and private museums
provide access to the art that enlightens people
in both urban and rural areas all over the world.
Likewise, privately-owned galleries serve a crucial
role in the showcasing of art, ensuring that people
can embrace it intimately, and connecting
artists and potential purchasers. One quarter of
the American population visited art galleries in
2008. 4 And despite the global economic slow-
down, sales of art were actually up in 2011—to
the highest level in history due, in large part to
Students share their artwork with faculty and attendees at ArtWalk 2012, spotlighting two miles of artwork during the spring Commencement Show.
explosive growth in China (up 49 percent).
In every way, MICA continues to lead in preparing
students to use art as a catalyst for thought. Well
known for producing talented, thoughtful artists,
the school has solidified its role as an educator
of great curators as well. During the 2011-12
academic year, the first class in the new MFA in
Curatorial Practice program began classes, led
by MICA Curator-In-Residence George Ciscle.
Students in the two-year program, the first of
its kind in the country, will curate both group and
individual exhibitions around Baltimore based on
the audience outreach and theme requirements
of the venue.
MICA is committed to
making art accessible
to the public through
free access to galleries
on campus. With the
October 2012 opening
of the Graduate Studio
Center, the College is
taking that commitment
to the next level.
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART 2012 ANNUAL REPORT
83