Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art

Summary

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, also known as the Intuit Art Center or just Intuit, is a museum in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago dedicated to outsider art. Founded in 1991, the museum offers exhibitions and educational programming exploring contemporary self-taught art.

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
Map
EstablishedJune 1991 (1991-06)
LocationChicago, Illinois, United States
Coordinates41°53′44″N 87°39′13″W / 41.89549764407525°N 87.65360072051269°W / 41.89549764407525; -87.65360072051269
TypeArt museum
CollectionsOutsider art
Collection size1,300 objects
Executive directorDebra Kerr
PresidentTracy Holmes
Public transit accessCTA Bus routes:
Routes 56 and 66

CTA 'L' (Blue line Line):
  Blue Line
Chicago
Websitewww.art.org

History edit

A group of Chicago art enthusiasts, including Susann Craig, Robert A. Roth, and Marjorie and Harvey Freed, founded Intuit in June 1991.[1][2] In 1995 the museum gained a physical space in the Roger Brown Home and Studio at 1926 North Halsted Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.[3] The museum moved to a larger space in 1999, an 1874 brick building at 756 North Milwaukee Avenue which was formerly the location of the Randolph Street Gallery.[3][4] An expansion in 2006 provided more exhibition space and the Robert A. Roth Study Center.[3]

Collection edit

Intuit is one of the few museums in the world that exclusively shows outsider art.[5] The permanent collection includes artists such as William Hawkins, William Dawson, Minnie Evans, Howard Finster, Wesley Willis, Lee Godie, Mr. Imagination, and Joseph Yoakum.[3][6] Like many outsider artists, the artists represented in Intuit's collections have often faced significant life challenges, such as mental illness or institutionalization.[4][7]

The museum took ownership of the contents of Henry Darger's apartment in 2000, and in 2008 opened a permanent exhibit recreating the artist's living and working space.[7][8]

Programming edit

Intuit has created multiple social outreach programs, coordinating with schools, libraries, and other organizations to promote arts in education.[7] IntuiTeens is an annual summer program where teenagers collaborate with teen mentors, professional artists, and community organizations to develop their art skills.[7] The Teacher Fellowship Program provides teachers at Chicago Public Schools with the skills to introduce their students to non-traditional materials and methods.[9] Intuit programs have also included workshops for people with dementia, low vision and blindness, and developmental disabilities.[4]

The museum has also hosted an Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art and publishes an annual magazine, The Outsider.[10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Goldsborough, Bob (July 23, 2021). "Susann Craig: Collector had eye for art, championed outsider artists". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Johnson, Steve (January 19, 2018). "Sale of Chicago outsider art collection spotlights city's pioneering role in the genre". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Good, Brittany (March 21, 2010). "Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art". AFAnews.com. Antiques & Fine Art. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Smith, Jasmine (January 6, 2016). "Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art Set to Celebrate 25th Anniversary in Big Way". ChicagoTalks. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Bentley, Chris (April 11, 2019). "'Outsider' Art Is Going Mainstream. But In Chicago, It's Always Been In". WBUR. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Galil, Leor (September 18, 2019). "The many dreams of Wesley Willis". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d "Intuit brings outsider art to the masses". The Columbia Chronicle. November 30, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (February 7, 2022). "A Henry Darger Dispute: Who Inherits the Rights to a Loner's Genius?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Frank, Priscilla (June 14, 2016). "Chicago Students Are Learning How Outsider Art Can Combat Hate". HuffPost. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  10. ^ Viera, Lauren (October 1, 2004). "Outsider art festival edgy, non-traditional". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2022.

External links edit

  • official website
  • YouTube channel
  • A Virtual Tour Inside Chicago's Center for Outsider Art 3-minute video from WTTW (2020)