File this under Reason #465 to be depressed about the state of the economy.
I know I’m sensitive about this stuff being an art historian, but the recent decision to close the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University in Boston is too much for me. When academic institutions believe the artworks they own are in fact nothing short of liquid assets to get them out of a financial crisis, they lose credibility in this queer’s eyes. If Prospect 1 taught me anything (and Kate and I both promise to post our thoughts on it over the next few days – keep checking back, it is that art can be a boon in economic sadtimes, if you just put a little oomph into it. This on top of large cuts in faculty and enrollment may spell D-O-O-M for the largest Jewish academic institution in the U.S.
I keep thinking: There but for the grace of God go I.
Sheesh.
This article appears in January 23 • 2009.