What role should museums play in public life today?
In this episode of The Art Career, Emily McElwreath visits the Cleveland Museum of Art for a conversation with Emily Liebert, Lauren Rich Fine Curator of Contemporary Art.
Together, they discuss the evolving role of museums in contemporary culture, the responsibilities of curatorial practice, and how institutions balance scholarship with accessibility while serving increasingly diverse audiences.
The conversation also explores Martin Puryear: Nexus, a major exhibition curated by Liebert that remains on view through August. Spanning more than six decades of Puryear’s career, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to engage deeply with one of the most important artists working today.
Throughout the episode, Liebert reflects on exhibition-making, audience engagement, and the importance of creating meaningful connections between art and the public.
A particular focus of the conversation is the Cleveland Museum of Art’s longstanding commitment to accessibility. Open to the public free of charge, the museum serves as a model for how cultural institutions can make world-class art available to broad audiences.
Topics include:
• The role of museums in public life today
• Curatorial practice and exhibition development
• Building exhibitions for diverse audiences
• Balancing scholarship with accessibility
• Martin Puryear: Nexus
• Public access and free museum admission
• The future of cultural institutions
Recorded at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Follow Emily Liebert: https://www.instagram.com/emilyliebert1/
Follow CMA: https://www.instagram.com/clevelandmuseumofart/
Follow Emily McElwreath on Instagram: @emilymcelwreath_art
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Sound Engineer and Production: Josh Craig
Creative Direction: Nina Yankovic
