Walker Art Center

Evaluation of the Mellon Interdisciplinary Initiative

Dates

2019 – 2020

Location

Minneapolis

What we did

Plan

Engage


In 2016, the Walker received a $1M grant from the Mellon Foundation to advance institutional practice related to the production, presentation, and collection of interdisciplinary art. ArtRise Projects was contracted to conduct a summative evaluation of the resulting Interdisciplinary Initiative. The evaluation focused on the production of eight complex interdisciplinary art projects, research and digital publishing efforts, and the organizational developments undertaken to support innovative artistic practice during the four-year institution-wide effort. Research included extensive interviews with Walker staff, fellows, advisors, and participating artists; as well as reviews of related materials, policies, and practices. Findings were delivered via a comprehensive written report and a two-part learning session attended by Walker leadership and staff.

PROJECT TEAM


ARTRISE PROJECTS

Marnie Burke de Guzman, Principal

Stefanie Demong, Project Director, Communications & Interpretation

WALKER ART CENTER

Philip Bither, McGuire Director and Senior Curator, Performing Arts

Mary Ceruti, Executive Director

Siri Engberg, Senior Curator and Director of Exhibitions Management, Visual Arts

IMAGE CREDITS

Top image: Maria Hassabi’s STAGING (2017) in the galleries of the exhibition Merce Cunningham: Common Time, Walker Art Center, 2017. Photo: Thomas Poravas.

Bottom left: Jason Moran, Slug’s Saloon, 2018. Photo: Jason Moran.

Bottom right: Meg Stuart, A REFRACTED PORTRAIT; An evening of solos and duets, McGuire Theater, 2019. Photo: Meg Stuart.