Spring Break
Closing of the Rose arouses shame and anger
by Daniel Orkin
Staff Writer
Arts | 1/27/09
Posted online at 2:09 AM EST on 1/27/09
/ Last updated at 3:53 AM EST on 1/27/09
I have never been more embarrassed to be a part of Brandeis University than I am at this very moment. Yesterday, the Brandeis Board of Trustees unanimously voted to close the Rose Art Museum in an effort to combat the ever-deepening budget fiasco the school is facing. The Rose's precious collection of contemporary masterpieces will be thrown on the auction block in an effort to raise money to band-aid the school's budget shortfalls. The school is set to sell authentic treasures from the likes of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and others, not unlike a junkie pawning his wedding ring.
The decision comes as a shock to many and as an insult to others; while the Rose may not be as profitable as any of our famed butter-substitute-generating research labs, it remains an absolutely vital component to our history, prestige and identity as a respected institution of learning and as a celebrated center of art and culture. Cashing in on one of the essential pillars of our creative legacy for the sake of minor fiscal security is an insult to the integrity of our academy and a blight on the reputation of this institution as a haven for free thought and expression.
Clearly, these are difficult times, and I openly accept that sacrifices will need to be made in order to keep Brandeis alive, but this radical decision is not simply a matter of fiscal policy or creative fundraising. Instead, this decision comes as a revelation of the bottom-line ethos that guides this school and of the essentially heartless depths to which the administration is willing to sink. The Rose's prized collection was largely acquired through gifts from patrons and art lovers; gifts not only to the Rose but also to the students of Brandeis so that they might be inspired by the works' brilliance. Those pieces purchased by the Rose were funded by similar means, through gifts to the Museum. The University's closure of the Rose, requisition and sale of its collection, and the profits it will earn are a sign of how little the University cares about art and how little it respects its students.
The decision comes as a shock to many and as an insult to others; while the Rose may not be as profitable as any of our famed butter-substitute-generating research labs, it remains an absolutely vital component to our history, prestige and identity as a respected institution of learning and as a celebrated center of art and culture. Cashing in on one of the essential pillars of our creative legacy for the sake of minor fiscal security is an insult to the integrity of our academy and a blight on the reputation of this institution as a haven for free thought and expression.
Clearly, these are difficult times, and I openly accept that sacrifices will need to be made in order to keep Brandeis alive, but this radical decision is not simply a matter of fiscal policy or creative fundraising. Instead, this decision comes as a revelation of the bottom-line ethos that guides this school and of the essentially heartless depths to which the administration is willing to sink. The Rose's prized collection was largely acquired through gifts from patrons and art lovers; gifts not only to the Rose but also to the students of Brandeis so that they might be inspired by the works' brilliance. Those pieces purchased by the Rose were funded by similar means, through gifts to the Museum. The University's closure of the Rose, requisition and sale of its collection, and the profits it will earn are a sign of how little the University cares about art and how little it respects its students.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
Jeffrey A. Rahn '79
posted 1/27/09 @ 9:52 AM EST
Thankyou for putting the student angle to this.
PLEASE organize the campus----and try to involve us old geezers who grew up in the shadows of MLK. Brandies was known for its student activism and it is time for alumni and students to rise together again. (Continued…)
Leor Galil
posted 1/27/09 @ 10:48 AM EST
For those of you who are upset by the decision to close the Rose Art Museum, action is being taken. There is an alumni petition circulating online, which you may sign by going to this website:
http://www. (Continued…)
David J. Tracy '74
posted 1/27/09 @ 10:53 AM EST
I share Jeffrey's concerns. I also compared Brandeis to other national universities in my daughter's college search. I have had a dream that one day one of my 2 children will become a Brandeis grad. (Continued…)
Todd
posted 1/27/09 @ 10:55 AM EST
I heard this story on the radio as I woke up this morning, and I too was saddened by this announcement. The Rose Art Museum, and the arts at Brandeis in general, were (and I believe still are) something to be proud of. (Continued…)
Daniel Baron
posted 1/27/09 @ 11:11 AM EST
I am not going to argue one way or the other on the fundamental question at hand. I will, however, offer some suggestions as to how this ought to play out. (Continued…)
Aaron
posted 1/27/09 @ 11:26 AM EST
There has got to be another solution than wholesale liquidation. The collection would never have formed if the donors knew this would happen, and future donors will likely be hesitant to give in the future if they believe their donations could be so quickly disposed of. (Continued…)
Susan
posted 1/27/09 @ 11:53 AM EST
This is truly shameful. There is nothing like a museum on campus for adding a touch of culture, a place to got to get away from it all, a place where future connoisseurs and curators are formed. (Continued…)
lily
posted 1/27/09 @ 4:14 PM EST
Great points Daniel but you undermine yourself with misspellings, bad grammar and word misuse. Let's keep the focus on the quality of the Brandeis education, art collection included. (Continued…)
David Cousins
posted 1/27/09 @ 10:23 PM EST
I was saddened to learn of the decision to close the Rose and sell off its contents. Further, I have not seen any estimate of what could be garnered by the sale. (Continued…)
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