Fonds uofc-1301 - Nickle Arts Museum fonds

The Nickle Arts Museum is a broadly focused educational organization forming an integral part of the University of Calgary. With over 12,000 feet of exhibition space, the Nickle's purpose is to exhibit and study aesthetically or historically significant information, knowledge and artifacts including, but not limited to, objects of art, numismatics and archaeology; to acquire art and numismatic materials; and to offer opportunities for university teaching and research in aesthetics, museology and related areas. The Nickle aims to stimulate open discussion and creativity involving students, faculty and the general public in all aspects of the Nickle's work. The Museum is named for Samuel C. Nickle, a Calgary oil executive who founded Northend Petroleums and Anglo-American Oils in the 1940's. In 1970, Mr. Nickle donated one million dollars to the University's Building Fund for the construction of "a building that will contribute to the education and overall benefit of both students and the community at large, by including facilities for the maintenance and display of works of art, artifacts, archaeology and numismatics". The Nickle Arts Museum opened on January 12, 1979. The Nickle's art collection focuses on artworks of the geographic area of Western Canada, but also extends to art of national and international importance, including works by Northern Canadian artists. The art collection currently consists of over 3,000 items. Most of these are works on paper with a growing number of paintings, sculptures and ceramics. The Nickle also manages a small African and Asian collection consisting of 19th and 20th century artifacts. The Nickle Coin Collection is one of the most important such collections in Canada. The original donation of coins was the gift of Carl O. Nickle that accompanied his father's donation in 1970. The collection has since grown to over 16,000 items of primarily Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins. Since 1996, the Nickle has also been the coordinator and focal point of the Minor Program in Museum and Heritage Studies, a course of study providing students with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the Cultural and Heritage sector. The Nickle Arts Museum is led by a Director who reports through the Director of Information Resources to the Vice-President (Academic). The Director is responsible for the overall administration and programs of the Museum and the collections of The University of Calgary and the Museum. The Director is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the Nickle Arts Museum and is responsible for the development of policies governing the exhibiting and collecting procedures of the Museum, providing direction and leadership for the development of the collections of the University and for the research programs associated with these collections. When the Museum opened in 1979, the Director initially reported to the Vice-President (Services). Following a review in 1980, the Director of the Nickle Arts Museum reported to Vice-President (Research). In 1984, given the greater instructional profile of the Museum, a General Faculties Council Review Committee moved the reporting relationship to the office of the Vice-President (Academic) through the Associate Vice-President (Academic). The administration of the Museum was restructured with the establishment of a Board in 1985, chaired by the Associate Vice-President (Academic). In 1999, following a further restructuring of Information Services, the Director of the Nickle Arts Museum now reports to the Director of Information Resources. The Museum's Board of Directors is appointed by the President and consists of the Chair, the Dean of Fine Arts, a representative from the Departments of Archaeology and Classics, the Directors of Community Relations and the Nickle Arts Museum, and the Curators of Numismatics and Art. The Board advises the Director of the Museum on matters pertaining to the general operations of the Museum, including its budget, funding, collecting, exhibiting and related activities such as research, conservation, publishing and sales. Five committees report to the Board: the Executive (an advisory and coordinating body); Art; Numismatics; Archeology; and Community Relations Committees. The Art, Numismatics and Archaeology Committees make recommendations about purchases or gifts for the permanent collections; about suitable exhibitions and lectures; and about educational possibilities and all publishing relevant to the permanent collections. The Community Relations Committee works with the other committees in publicising the Museum and in organizing an annual Nickle Arts Lecture series. In 1993, a Task Force was appointed by the President in response to the University Budget Committee's recommendations that the University drastically reduce its annual contribution to the Nickle Arts Museum. The Task Force eventually heard over 100 submissions from the campus and the community.