Selections: The San José Museum of Art Permanent Collection

This book was published in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the San José Museum of Art.

Established in 1969, the San José Museum of Art has grown into one of the leading arts institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Unlike many museums that are founded by wealthy collector-philanthropists, SJMA (acronym for San José Museum of Art) was the product of a collective, grassroots effort of civic-minded citizens.  The development of the collection reflects the unique evolution of the institution from a small civic art gallery in a region once known for abundant fruit orchards to a museum situated in a city that is now the 11th largest in the country and the capital of Silicon Valley.   The history of the collection parallels this broadening scope, from a focus on artist living in the Santa Clara Valley to expanded coverage of California, and finally to a spectrum that includes what the Museum believes to be the best regional, national, and international visual art of our time.

What distinguishes the San José Museum of Art from many other contemporary art museums is its commitment to accessibility, education, and community outreach.   While the experience of art in a museum is personal, its greatest significance is ultimately as a vehicle for making connections with a larger community.

Details

• Edited and with an introduction by Susan Landauer
• ISBN 09381753355
• Exhibitions presented from 2 October through 13 February 2005
• Hardcover