In Opposition to the Closing of the Rose Art Museum

Target:

The Brandeis University Board of Trustees and Administration

Sponsored by:

The Brandeis University Board of Trustees in a closed meeting and without any community input decided to sell off the University's unique collection of modern art in order to meet a budget shortfall. But there are other ways to do this. The Rose Art Museum must be preserved.

We find unacceptable both the decision to close the Rose Art Museum and the manner in which the process was conducted. While we understand the dire circumstances the University is facing during this economic crisis, we deplore this utter lack of transparency and the auctioning off of Brandeis' cultural heritage. If the purpose of this sale is to position the University to exit the crisis stronger, we fear that the loss of prestige and morale it entails will have the opposite effect.

Frequent, informative communication builds constituent confidence, and there has been too little of both since the economic downturn began. Giving up the largest collection of modern art in New England belies the fact that the Brandeis community does indeed value the arts. It betrays the University's very mission and our collective responsibility to preserve this treasure.

As alumni, we cannot in good conscience support an institution that does not trust its constituents enough to keep them informed of such painful undertakings. An e-mail, no matter how regretful in tone, sent after the decision has already been made does little to alleviate our confusion, hurt, and resentment. As your actions in regards to the Rose demonstrate, your concern for the short-term trumps the long. Therefore, the undersigned pledge to withhold our support of Brandeis University until our concerns are addressed and the decision to shut the Rose Art Museum is reversed.

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We signed the "In Opposition to the Closing of the Rose Art Museum" petition!

# 5,120:

11:36 am PDT, Jul 27, Kate Sullivan, Connecticut

# 5,119:

6:58 pm PDT, Jul 26, Burton Berlowe, Minnesota

# 5,118:

5:14 pm PDT, Jul 26, Sonya Berlovitz, Minnesota

# 5,117:

9:21 am PDT, Jul 21, Dorothy Blades, Louisiana
Such a collection should be kept & a source of pride not only for art students but the entire student body and surrounding community.

# 5,116:

7:49 am PDT, Jul 17, Name not displayed, India

# 5,115:

8:25 pm PDT, Jul 15, Margaret MacNamidhe, Illinois
Back in 1992, a concerned James Cuno (now director of the Art Institute of Chicago) devoted a long, brilliantly researched and passionate article in Apollo magazine about what he described as Brandeis University's predatory attitude to its art collection and its utterly mercenary understanding of the role of the museum. For those who are currently carving up the Rose, Cuno's article needs to be read—immediately.

# 5,114:

5:06 am PDT, Jul 5, Merry Britt, Virginia
Please do not chose to close this museum. In a world filled with gloom and doom, we, as citizens of this country, need more organizations that provide beauty and add to the quality of our lives. Thank you.

# 5,113:

10:41 pm PDT, Jul 3, Douglas R. Cerzosimo, Pennsylvania
To the finanial advisor(s) responsible for considering the decision for closing the museum and selling art to pay bills - Imagination is what you kill when you dispose of art, its the equivalent of burning books - why not sell the library too ? The ability for learning to implement imagination is destroyed too. It is just this kind of destruction that leads to thinking like yours that selling off the art museum to pay bills makes good fiscal sense. IT DOES NOT. Perhaps one or two pieces; art museums will occassionally do this when times are tough, but not the whole f-----ng collection - that's plainly ignorant and abomniable. It shows that your school has no sense, no class, and no imagination. I feel bad for the people, especially the students of Brandeis University who must be confused and extraordinarily embarrassed by the ignorance and lack of cultural understanding in the administrative circle of your college and university. Therefore, I would condemn any action to close the museum and sell the artwork to pay bills. Its more than outrageous, its plainly ignorant and insulting to the integrity of the university. If it does close and is sold, it will be the destruction of not only a cultural treasure, but moreover the destruction of the careers of those responsible for the actions involved. Just as the 911 report commission stated that our national security was guilty of a gross lack of imagination for putting the pieces of the puzzle together; so will be you shame and guilt in both failing to see other possibilities and depriving generations of students to cultivate imagination by experiencing art, the human footprint of civilzation. You may as well sell the library and the bookstore too. If not, why not eliminate sports funds or lanscaping services or the positions of corrupt administrators ? There must be some there, every place has corrupt people lurking around nowadays. Its so sad that there are so many ignorant people in management positions anymore. Poor Brandeis...what a shameful disgrace is what people will be saying for years - people will be embarrassed to send their children there because of the sinking reputation. Respectfully and sympathetically yours, Douglas R. Cerzosimo Professor of Art Pennsylvania

# 5,112:

3:28 pm PDT, Jul 2, John Alkon, California
Is Jehuda cutting his salary, his university home, are they cutting the numerous VPs, deans, provosts with all their benies, pensions, salaries, etc....Until then this university needs to be fully investigated for mis and malfeasence of office. this is a severe recession; millions in foreclosure, millions unemployed; what is Brandeis doing to save this museum. The majority who work at the school are greedy baby boomers who only care about $$$$$. They do not care about students, legacy, cultures, it is ALL about boomer mentality $$$$$.

# 5,111:

9:26 am PDT, Jun 22, Kasia Ozga, Illinois

# 5,110:

5:15 pm PDT, Jun 19, Mitra Abbaspour, New York
An art collection is more than a simple financial endowment; it is a learning resource much like a library. In an age increasingly dependent upon visual communication, an art collection is ever more critical to advanced learning.

# 5,109:

6:34 am PDT, Jun 15, Carrie Gordon, New Jersey

# 5,108:

9:55 am PDT, Jun 12, Azyadeh Carla Bravo Joseph, Mexico

# 5,107:

7:17 pm PDT, Jun 11, Santiago Carrasco Scherer Scherer, Mexico
Do no�t cancel the doors of knowlege and creativity, people have always change the world with inspiration, please let the people have public shelters of wisdom. CARRASCO

# 5,106:

12:29 am PDT, Jun 8, Name not displayed, Finland

# 5,105:

7:23 pm PDT, Jun 5, Emily Wood, Massachusetts

# 5,104:

7:31 am PDT, Jun 4, Name not displayed, Canada
For more impact, add a personal comment here

# 5,103:

12:12 pm PDT, May 29, Karen Kaysen, Indiana

# 5,102:

11:56 am PDT, May 29, John Carew, Massachusetts
I became a fan of of contempary and modern art on a trip to Washington D.C. in 1994. I feel it unfortunate that others, including myself, will never get to appriciate the sense of connectiveness one recieves when viewing a piece of modern/contempary art, so close to home. This feeling is needed more than ever in this increasing diconnected "modern" world.

# 5,101:

10:36 am PDT, May 29, Michael Beringer, California
Why is art always the first to suffer when there are budget problems? People always seem to support the arts when times are good, but when financial times are poor art is the first to go. Please reconsider maintaining your museum and collection for the benefit of your current and future students.

# 5,100:

3:36 pm PDT, May 28, Donald Russell, Massachusetts
I worked for Richard Wright Ltd from 2000 until 2005. I worked with Roy. He is a brilliant artist and decided to leave Richard Write to persue his career at the Rose. I remember picking up and delivering many pieces like .....warhol...matisse...to name some. The museum should be opened again and never again should money compromise something that makes a university like Brandeis unique.

# 5,099:

8:02 pm PDT, May 27, Name not displayed, Australia
I am a Lecturer in Curatorial Studies and Art History. I find it hard to believe the University's actions. It defies ICOM ethics and practices related to the public care of collections. I sincerely hope the Rose Art Museum does not become a permanent 'case study' in the history of museum 'mis'management. Good luck!

# 5,098:

8:25 am PDT, May 27, Susan Mocarski, Rhode Island
This is a sucker punch to public art spaces everywhere!

# 5,097:

10:26 pm PDT, May 26, Name not displayed, California
When Brandies comes seeking donations from alumnae and their parents, this is what my daughter will remember about her senior year - the bumbling and misguided attempt to close this wonderful museum. You shoudl assume that it the memory will cost you any contriubution she might have made. Penny wise and pound foolish.....

# 5,096:

2:57 pm PDT, May 25, Richard Allen, New Hampshire
A very appropriate quote from the writing of Jamake Highwater: "....art is a staple of humankind - never a by-product of leisure or elitism - and so urgent, so utterly linked to the pulse of feeling that it becomes the singular sign of life when every other aspect of civilization fails." The decision to close the Rose Museum impoverishes us all.

# 5,095:

11:52 am PDT, May 22, Katherine Bentz, New Hampshire

# 5,094:

3:39 pm PDT, May 21, Victoria Cohen, New York

# 5,093:

3:58 am PDT, May 17, SuWei Chi, Taiwan

# 5,092:

5:37 am PDT, May 14, Melissa Cooper, Massachusetts

# 5,091:

9:34 pm PDT, May 12, Gloria feman Orenstein, California

# 5,090:

5:52 pm PDT, May 12, Debra Jones, Tennessee

# 5,089:

3:50 pm PDT, May 12, Amber Parsons, Wisconsin

# 5,088:

7:37 pm PDT, May 9, Yvette Porter Moore, California

# 5,087:

2:36 pm PDT, May 8, Kerry Hassler, New York
It's a shame to sell off such a collection. There must be another way.

# 5,086:

7:15 pm PDT, May 6, Frank Oehlschlaeger, New Hampshire
I'm a retired art historian after 32 years of college & university teaching. I think that Brandeis has an opportunity to save its museum by taking its concern to the public and asking for creative input.

# 5,085:

10:52 am PDT, May 4, Mathiew Greenfield, Minnesota

# 5,084:

7:31 pm PDT, Apr 30, Margaret Olin, Illinois

# 5,083:

12:47 pm PDT, Apr 29, Amanda Lanceter, New York
I am horrified that Brandeis would consider doing this to such a special museum.

# 5,082:

12:45 pm PDT, Apr 26, Sumeyye Kocaman, California

# 5,081:

2:59 pm PDT, Apr 25, Nancy Carroll, North Carolina

# 5,080:

9:50 am PDT, Apr 19, Name not displayed, Massachusetts
Closing the Rose will do more than just "earn" you money in the short run. It will discourage any potential donors of art or any other objects of value from donating their pieces to any university in the future. It will tell donors that art is just a commodity to be donated then sold for its greatest monetary value. It is shameful what you are doing.

# 5,079:

3:14 pm PDT, Apr 16, Samantha Howe, Ohio
Here at Ohio State University, my office has the unique advantage of being directly next to the University's art museum, the Wexner Center. I have visted each of the exhibits to come through in the past year, but none of them hold a candle to exhibits I was lucky enough to visit at the Rose Art Museum. The memories and experiences of attending Brandeis are priceless, as is the part the Rose Art Museum played in them. Don't let Ohio State University outclass Brandeis!

# 5,078:

8:22 am PDT, Apr 16, Emily Peters, Rhode Island

# 5,077:

12:16 pm PDT, Apr 9, Susan Parker, New York

# 5,076:

8:06 am PDT, Apr 6, Melissa Geddis, New Jersey

# 5,075:

6:05 pm PDT, Apr 1, Name not displayed, New York

# 5,074:

8:59 pm PDT, Mar 31, James Servais, California

# 5,073:

11:25 am PDT, Mar 28, Wendy Bloch, New York
What will you sell off next year when you need more cash? How short-sighted!

# 5,072:

7:39 am PDT, Mar 25, Julie Thomson, North Carolina
As economic and political challenges arise, the arts are truly important in creating enviornments that foster and encourage the creative solutions such challenges require. The Rose Art Museum has been a leader in contemporary art exhibitions and steps are needed to preserve both it and public trust for all museums.

# 5,071:

1:39 pm PDT, Mar 23, Name not displayed, Missouri
The abrupt dissolution of the Rose Art Museum has dire implications for other collections by undermining the wishes of donors, as well as trivializing the importance of art and art history. These disciplines, which uplift the human spirit and illuminate history's dark corners, are integral to a well-rounded education, even in times of economic hardship.

# 5,070:

6:09 am PDT, Mar 22, C Henderson, Kansas
Think long term, don't sell off your cultural heritage.

# 5,069:

8:25 pm PDT, Mar 20, Diane Wright, New York

# 5,068:

1:36 pm PDT, Mar 18, Kelly Stinson, Illinois

# 5,067:

5:45 am PDT, Mar 17, Name not displayed, North Carolina
This is like the plundering of Bagdhad's museums, except Brandeis willfully intends to profit from it. You might as well dissolve the library and sell all the books and online reading devices. --Art History minor, Swarthmore '87

# 5,066:

5:39 am PDT, Mar 17, Jennifer Butterworth, Tennessee

# 5,065:

8:38 am PDT, Mar 16, Paul Anderson, Oregon
the artist jim staford look for it, buy some, class of 67

# 5,064:

6:22 am PDT, Mar 16, Mahfoud Bouzidi, Algeria
bonjour voila je suis mahfoud bouzidi donc j'aimeris bien de vous me contact merci

# 5,063:

6:47 am PDT, Mar 15, Evan Berson, Pennsylvania

# 5,062:

9:36 am PDT, Mar 14, Ellen Spencer, California

# 5,061:

7:01 pm PDT, Mar 12, Judith E. Klein, New York
To Whom It May Concern: What a pity to have a unique collection disappear. The public as well as students need it. Please reconsider. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Judith E. Klein

# 5,060:

1:17 pm PDT, Mar 11, Arturo Rodr�guez Torija, Mexico
�SALVEN EL MUSEO, NO PERMITAN QUE LA INGNORANCIA Y AVARICIA TRIUNFEN SOBRE LA CULTURA Y EL ARTE!

# 5,059:

10:47 am PDT, Mar 11, Abby Eron, New Jersey

# 5,058:

9:35 am PDT, Mar 11, Name not displayed, New Jersey

# 5,057:

9:23 am PDT, Mar 11, Clara Hsu, California

# 5,056:

6:19 am PDT, Mar 11, Nicole Savage, California
There is only one Rose Art Museum and it must be preserved.

# 5,055:

12:54 am PDT, Mar 11, Marlene B. Aron, California
It is truly amazing that you would even consider, let alone decide, to close an institution as relevant and important as the Rose Art Museum. There is more to life than Academics. Art, music, poetry, literture, broaden our perceptions and experiences of who we are and of life around us. We would be so much more the poorer without the emotional, spiritual and intellectual stimulation and experiences that art imbues us with. Shame on you for even considering such a horrible and dastardly thing. Shame on you for closing down this Museum and depriving your students, staff, faculty and the citizens all around you, the opportunity to have richer and more wonderful lives by viewing the wonderful collection inside the walls of the Rose Art Museum.

# 5,054:

8:24 am PDT, Mar 10, Martin Rosenberg, New Jersey
As both an art historian, and a parent of a Brandeis alumna, I am very strongly opposed t the University's plan to raise funds by closing the art museum. Museums provide a major source of publicity for a university, but, more importantly, they are a major educational resource. Closing the museum will eliminate that educational resource, and it will also alienate prior and potential donors. It is a terrible idea, and I urge the President and Board to reconsider.

# 5,053:

7:36 pm PDT, Mar 8, Name not displayed, New York

# 5,052:

2:23 pm PST, Mar 7, Ivan Gaskell, Massachusetts
As a university museum curator and faculty member I am appalled by the impending destruction of a vital part of Brandeis by those whose duty is to preserve and sustain it. Take the trust out of trustee, and what are you left with? A sad ejaculation.

# 5,051:

2:13 pm PST, Mar 7, Name not displayed, North Carolina
I visited the Rose today, and enjoyed the wonderful, informative exhibitions and a learned gallery talk. The recent controversy about the university's plan to close the Rose made me move this visit ahead of Boston's other, more well-publicized art museums as I explore the area where my son recently relocated. Both as an art lover and a former museum professional, I am appalled at the university's decision. The collection is a true treasure, and -- while its sale may well mitigate Brandeis' current budget issues -- it will never be possible to reassemble a collection of this stature. Where is your respect for the donors who intended their gifts to the Museum as a legacy to future generations of students and the general public? Closing the Rose Art Museum to the public and selling off this irreplacable collection is unconscionable, especially for a university that positions itself as a beacon of intellectual reason. Sharon Kanter Kinston, North Carolina

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