The Chazen Museum of Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison announced on Apr. 28 that it will debut a complete reinstallation of its permanent collection in the fall, coinciding with the reopening of its Elvehjem building after renovations.
The museum said this new presentation will offer visitors flexible exploration and highlight overlooked works, connecting art to everyday life across twenty-four gallery spaces. Each gallery will be anchored by a focus object intended to encourage close looking and layered interpretation. The reinstallation aims to create an environment that is accessible and inclusive for diverse audiences through various accommodations, according to the official website.
Amy Gilman, director of the Chazen Museum of Art and senior director for the arts and media at UW–Madison, said, “The reinstallation allows us to showcase the strengths of the Chazen Museum of Art collection while offering a more enriching and holistic museum experience for our visitors. With the reinstallation, we hope to give visitors control of the rhythm of their journey and the confidence to choose their own path through the space and discover what resonates most with them.”
Planning began several years ago as curators examined over 25,000 artworks under their care. The collection ranges from studio glass and figurative ceramics to modern Midwest painting and Japanese woodcuts. Katherine Alcauskas, chief curator overseeing this project, said, “Placing focus objects at the center of each gallery allows us to build meaning outward from individual artworks. By stepping away from traditional hierarchies, we can highlight unexpected treasures from our collection and provide fresh entry points for visitors to discover future favorites and engage with original scholarship.”
Among featured works are Sam Gilliam’s “Pink Flutter” (1969) in Gallery 17—created by folding a wet canvas—and John Steuart Curry’s “Wisconsin Farm Scene” (1941) in Gallery 11 which reflects both rural life harmony and scientific influence on agriculture during his tenure as artist-in-residence at UW–Madison’s School of Agriculture.
The Chazen team collaborated with university faculty, staff, students across disciplines as well as community members throughout planning stages. This approach builds on earlier initiatives such as re:mancipation—a multi-year project reframing single artworks as catalysts for dialogue.
The museum operates as an art institution offering exhibitions—including rotating displays from its permanent holdings exceeding 23,000 works spanning ancient to modern art—and public programs such as tours according to information available on its official website. It serves as a vital resource for education, learning and community engagement at UW–Madison and beyond according to its official website.
