During the winter 2019 term, the Hood Museum of Art’s brand-new Bernstein Center for Object Study (BCOS) welcomed over 1,000 students in 49 unique Dartmouth courses from 20 departments and programs. Composed of three new study galleries accessible from the Russo Atrium, BCOS creates unparalleled opportunities for curricular engagement and research within a museum setting and addresses increased curricular demand for direct experiences with original works of art.
Courses that visited during winter term included Sacred Cities: Rome (religion), Climate Change (engineering), Fame and Hollywood (film), Qualitative Methods and Research Process (geography), and Pen and Ink Witchcraft (Native American studies), in addition to various art history and studio art classes.
When asked about what was interesting, intriguing or surprising about her visit to the Hood, a student who visited with a geography class said: “I normally wouldn't have spent so much time with the photos, but I was surprised by how easily I was able to spend half an hour talking about them. Also, I thought the selection was interesting and thoughtful; at first glance, they didn't all appear to relate to environmental justice, but with discussion, we unpacked this.”
Another student, who visited with her anthropology course, said: “I was amazed by how well the staff at the museum put together a collection of works that connected to our class curriculum. I was impressed at how extensive the Hood collections are, and how well suited to classroom learning.”
BCOS even opened its doors to all campus audiences for an art viewing session during this year’s Dartmouth Winter Carnival in February. Students were invited drop by on Friday afternoon to view objects in the collection related to ice and the Arctic, a play off the event’s “Ice Age” theme.
“The Center for Object Study was off to a strong start winter term and we’re looking forward to continuing to provide impactful, intellectual, and exciting engagement with works of art to students studying a wide range of subjects,” says Associate Curator of Academic Programming Amelia Kahl.
If you are a faculty member interested in teaching with the Hood’s collection, please contact Amelia Kahl, associate curator of academic programming. If you are a student and would like to view works outside of a Dartmouth class, please contact Amelia for more information.
Written by Isadora Italia, Campus Engagement Coordinator