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Pedagogy for the Modern: Victor D’Amico and the Museum of Modern Art, 1929–1969

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posted on 2018-09-12, 11:07 authored by Briley Rasmussen
This thesis explores the history of the educational mission and programs of the Museum of Modern Art, New York (MoMA) from 1929 to 1969, interrogating how education programs were critical to the museum’s presentation, definition, and dissemination of modern art in this period. It centers on the work of Victor D’Amico, the first director of education at MoMA, and follows the course of his tenure at MoMA from 1937 to his retirement in 1969. The first two chapters of this thesis address the philosophical roots of the museum and its education program. It begins with an examination of the progressive aspirations of the museum’s founders, as well as the pedagogical experiments of MoMA’s first director, Alfred H. Barr, Jr. It then introduces Victor D’Amico, exploring the progressive grounding of his work and the shifting notions of children and childhood that become the heart of his work at MoMA. Through the lens of specific programs the next three chapters investigate three different decades at the museum. Chapter Three focuses on the multiple exhibition Elements of Design and considers how the museum developed pedagogical tools to reach larger audiences for modern design. Chapter Four addresses the changing climate for MoMA and modern art following the Second World War and how the museum harnessed television as a critical medium to develop audiences for modern art and promote its place in a democracy. Finally, Chapter Five discusses how D’Amico’s Children’s Art Carnival was leveraged as a tool for cultural diplomacy in Europe and India during the Cold War. Through a focus on the educational philosophy and practices of the museum this thesis investigates the larger ambitions of MoMA to impact daily life. They believed an engagement with modern art and its ideas and practices could foster agency in people in the United States and abroad. Ultimately, this thesis charts a more expansive understanding of modernism and the role of museum education in the histories of art and museums.

History

Supervisor(s)

MacLeod, Suzanne; Marstine, Janet

Date of award

2015-06-30

Author affiliation

School of Museum Studies

Awarding institution

University of Leicester

Qualification level

  • Doctoral

Qualification name

  • PhD

Notes

Access to the electronic version of this thesis is restricted until further notice.

Language

en

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