BOSTON—Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, which has about 5,000 South Asian objects in its collections, will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2020.
To review the last 150 years and preview next 150 years, INDIA New England News sat down for an exclusive video interview with Matthew Teitelbaum, the museum’s 11th director in its 148-year history. He talked about Indian and South Asian collections as well as about the overall vision of the museum, known as MFA.
“The future has to be more assertive, more sustained and more disciplined,” said Mr. Teitelbaum, adding that there has to be more collaboration with the community and more openness.
To watch the full interview, please click here.
Since assuming his role as Ann and Graham Gund Director in August 2015, Mr. Teitelbaum has created inviting and engaging experiences for new and existing audiences, based on the stories inherent in the MFA’s encyclopedic collection.
Most recently, Mr. Teitelbaum oversaw the launch of MFA 2020, a strategic plan that articulates a shared voice and vision to guide the Museum into the future.
William I. Koch Gallery
August 30, 2016
*Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Prior to his appointment at the MFA, Mr. Teitelbaum served as the Michael and Sonja Koerner Director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. A scholar of contemporary, European and Canadian art, he holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Canadian history from Carleton University; a Master of Philosophy in modern European painting and sculpture from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London; and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University.
Founded in 1870, MFA opened the doors of its Copley Square building to the public on July 4, 1876, later moving to its present Huntington Avenue location, which opened on November 9, 1909.
The MFA welcomes approximately one million visitors each year from neighboring communities and around the globe. It is one of the great encyclopedic art museums in the world, with collections comprising more than 450,000 objects representing all periods and cultures.
