Carolina Art Association

THE MISSION OF THE GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART IS TO ENHANCE LIVES THROUGH ART BY ENGAGING PEOPLE OF EVERY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE WITH ART AND ARTISTS OF ENDURING QUALITY; COLLECT AND PRESERVE THE ART THAT TOUCHES CHARLESTON; AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, TO DISCOVER, TO ENJOY, AND TO BE INSPIRED BY THE CREATIVE PROCESS.

COLLECTIONS/EXHIBITIONS/SCHOLARSHIP: THE ART COLLECTION HOUSED AT THE GIBBES CONSTITUTES THE SINGLE GREATEST CULTURAL ASSET IN THE LOWCOUNTRY REGION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. FEW COLLECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES MATCH ITS DEPTH, BREADTH AND QUALITY IN AMERICAN ART THAT TOUCHES CHARLESTON. THE GIBBES AIMS TO PRESENT AN INNOVATIVE SERIES OF SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND PERMANENT COLLECTION INSTALLATIONS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, VARIETY, AND SCOPE. EXHIBITIONS ARE DESIGNED AS AN EXPERIMENTAL PLATFORM FOR ENGAGING WITH ART IN NEW AND EXCITING WAYS AND CHALLENGING ESTABLISHED INTERPRETATIONS. THE PROGRAM STRIVES TO PROMOTE CREATIVITY, INTRODUCE NEW ART FORMS, PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE ON LARGER COMMUNITY ISSUES, ENCOURAGE FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, AND CONNECT WITH THE BROADEST POSSIBLE AUDIENCE.

EDUCATION/PUBLIC PROGRAMS: EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE CENTRAL TO THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE GIBBES AND STEM FROM THE MUSEUM'S PURPOSE TO CONNECT PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO IDEAS AND CREATIVITY THROUGH ART. WE WORK TO PROVIDE A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE BY CONNECTING ARTISTS, THE CREATIVE PROCESS, AND WORKS OF ART TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND STIMULATE DIALOGUE AND INNOVATION. THE GIBBES IS COMMITTED TO: PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING TO ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVES IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY; ENCOURAGING ACCESS TO THE CURATORIAL DEPARTMENT AND INDUSTRY LEADERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDY AND TRAINING; IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL AND REGIONAL STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MUSEUM EDUCATION; APPLYING THE STATE CURRICULUM STANDARDS FOR THE VISUAL ARTS FOR ALL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE TRI-COUNTY SCHOOLS; AND IMPLEMENTING THE STATE CURRICULUM STANDARDS FOR THE VISUAL ARTS TO ENHANCE OTHER DISCIPLINES: SOCIAL STUDIES, ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, SCIENCE AND MATH.

VISITOR SERVICES/GIFT SHOP/ART SALES GALLERY: THE MUSEUM IS IDEALLY POSITIONED TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH TO ITS VISITORS AND COMMUNITY. EDUCATION IS CENTRAL TO ITS MISSION AND ITS PROGRAMS AND DESIGNED FOR LEARNERS OF ALL AGES. OUR VISITOR SERVICES AND RETAIL AMENITIES CATER TO ALL AGES AND COMPLIMENT THE MISSION DRIVEN ACTIVITIES OF THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM STORE SHOWCASES THE CREATIVITY OF REGIONAL ARTISTS, AND COLLABORATES WITH ARTISTS ON EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE GIBBES. FEATURED PRODUCTS INCLUDE JEWELRY, GIFTS, ART SUPPLIES, BOOKS, AND SPECIALTY ITEMS - INTRODUCING ART INTO EVERYDAY LIFE. EVERY TAX-FREE PURCHASE DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE GIBBES MUSEUM'S MISSION TO ENHANCE LIVES THROUGH ART BY HELPING TO FUND OUR EXHIBITION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THE RUTH AND BILL BAKER ART SALES GALLERY PROVIDES CAREER SUPPORT TO ARTISTS SELECTED FOR THE VISITING ARTIST PROGRAM THROUGH THE PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY AND SALE OF RECENT WORKS. PRESENTING UP TO SIX EXHIBITIONS ANNUALLY, THE ART SALES GALLERY PROVIDES AN INSIGHTFUL, CONTEMPORARY ART EXPERIENCE THAT CONNECTS EMERGING AS WELL AS ESTABLISHED COLLECTORS WITH ARTISTS AT ALL LEVELS OF ARTISTIC ENDEAVOR. LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE MUSEUM, THE GALLERY IS AN EXTENSION OF THE EDUCATION CORRIDOR, WHICH FURTHERS OUR VISITORS' INTERACTION WITH ART FROM THE ART-MAKING PROCESS TO THE EXHIBITION OF COMPLETED WORKS.