Reenvisioning Histories of American Art

US museums have faced increasing pressure to reckon with their histories in light of social movements against racism, violence, and the erosion of human rights here and abroad. Growing institutional self-reflection and transformation has emerged in tandem with a focus on incorporating antiracism and decolonization in museum practice. Fundamental to these shifts is the idea that one cannot tell the story of American art without Native American, African American, Asian American, and Latinx art. Hartman and Powell present essays by curators and faculty whose practices have made critical contributions to the rapidly changing field of American art. Featuring innovative scholarship and approaches from art history, anthropology, gender and sexuality studies, history, and ethnic studies, the contributors write about transforming theory and methodology into museum practice and reflect on the challenges and possibilities for expanding the canon of American art. Recognizing the shortcomings of traditional curatorial approaches, they demonstrate how sustained dialogue, community engagement, and curatorial collaboration have fueled important changes to art curation. A progress report and a how-to guide, Reenvisioning Histories of American Art. considers the flawed past and inclusive future for how American art is displayed in museums and how it is taught.