Program areas at Figge Art Museum
The Figge's 2022-2023 exhibition highlights included: "john leslie breck: american impressionist." This exhibition explores the work, life, and career of the nineteenth-century american artist john leslie breck (1860- 1899), one of the first american artists to adopt impressionism and to nurture its acceptance in the united states. "urban exposure: the american city seen" drawn entirely from the figges collection, urban exposure showcases a compelling array of twentieth and twenty-first century artwork exploring the human condition within the urban american scene. "message from our planet: digital Art from the thoma collection" curated by the carl and marilynn thoma foundation, brings together 20 unique software, video, and light technology artworks created by a diverse group of international artists working at the forefront of digital and electronic Art. The exhibition proposes that media technologiesfrom vintage devices to cutting-edge digital algorithmsoffer distinct ways for artists to communicate with future generations. "peace, power, and prestige: metal arts in africa" explores the roles of metal objects in sustaining and enhancing life in african communities, while demonstrating the aesthetic and expressive power of metal arts. "erwin eisch, mauricio lasansky, and zoya cherkassay: artists remember" featuring the work of accomplished printmakers erwin eisch, mauricio lasansky, and zoya cherkassay, artists remember explores the unique imagery artists use to confront the deplorable history of nazi era oppression and genocide. "sporting fashion: outdoor girls 1800 to 1960" organized by the american federation of arts and the fashion institute of design & merchandising Museum (fidm), celebrates the evolution of womens sporting fashion, highlighting the way in which women navigated the demands of function and propriety through fashion, with 64 fully accessorized head-to-toe garments presented from the height of each sports popularity. "veiled: the Art of heidi draley mcfall" heidi draley mcfall creates large-scale portrait drawings that encourage us to explore our shared humanity. This exhibition features work created over the past four years portraying the artists family, friends, and past acquaintances. "the life and Art of charles m. schulz" explores schulzs personal history and his role as the inspiration and artistic talent behind peanuts and its unique cast of characters. The exhibition follows schulz from his Minnesota roots to his life in California and tracks the development of the characters that make up the unique world of peanuts. "ansel adams, the sierra club, and the making of a landscape icon" a suite of images by the renowned photographer ansel adams. A san francisco native, adams (1902- 1984) was arguably the most famous and influential american landscape photographer of the twentieth century. "Iowa night skies" features a dozen stunning pigment prints by Iowa city based photographer johnny brian. By exposing film over long periods, brian captures the bustling sky from his backyard.
Auxiliary activities: the Figge has identified the supplemental activities related to operating the store and its caf/catering operations into a third program called auxiliary activities. The Museum operates a store offering for sale various art-oriented items, many of which are themed around exhibitions currently or recently on display. In addition the Museum has engaged the services of a third party caterer to provide after hour catering for private events. The Museum is paid certain fees by the caterer in accordance with the associated contract.
Education: the Figge served students from local elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities, as well as private school students, senior citizens, community organizations and tourists with a broad program of onsite tours, lectures, hands-on activities. The "big picture" outreach program provided hands-on Art experiences to over 20,000 students and other community members throughout the region. In addition, free family days, thursday night programs, and other activities attracted thousands of visitors for innovative, art-based learning.