MUSEUM HISTORY

Established in 1978, Mingei International Museum is a non-profit public institution dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of art of the people (mingei) from all cultures of the world. The Museum's collection now comprises 17,500 objects from 141 countries.

The Museum's Founder and Director Emerita is Martha Longenecker, Professor of Art Emerita, San Diego State University. As an artist craftsman who studied the art of pottery-making in Japan, she became acquainted with and learned from the founders and leaders of the Mingei Association of Japan who inspired her to carry the vision of mingei to the U.S.A.

In May 1978, Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art opened at University Towne Centre in San Diego with a premiere exhibition, DOLLS AND FOLK TOYS OF THE WORLD.

In August 1996, Mingei International opened a new, 41,000-square-foot facility on the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park. The Museum is located in the historic House of Charm, on the central square with the San Diego Museum of Art and the Timken Museum of Art. Two whimsical sculptures by acclaimed artist Niki de Saint Phalle sit near the front entry.

The Museum has six exhibition galleries, a multimedia education center, a theater, The Collectors' Gallery/Museum Store and an Art Reference Library. Its Collections Access and Research Center coordinates registration, storage, exhibition design and preparation areas with the adjacent reference library of books, films, videotapes, slides and photographs.

In November 1997, Mingei International completed a $7.5 million capital campaign for designing, constructing, equipping and endowing the Balboa Park Museum. A Martha W. Longenecker Director's Chair Endowment was also established.

In 1999, a major gift from the Hamilton-White Foundation funded acquisitions for Mingei International's collection. The Foundation's intent was to increase significantly the stature of the permanent collection. A major bequest in 1999 from the estate of a long-time Museum friend and benefactor established the Gwendolyn Peacher Exhibition Enhancement Fund, to support exhibition-related educational programs.

In October 2001, Mingei International purchased a 21,000 square-foot building on Grand Avenue in Downtown Escondido. A former JC Penney department store, the Escondido Museum is a stunning example of adaptive reuse.

The Museum opened to the public on December 5, 2003 with the Inaugural Exhibition, NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE REMEMBERED. The Museum has two exhibition galleries, a multi-media education center, The Collectors' Gallery/Museum Store and a marketing center for Mingei International's publications and videos. A dramatic addition was a Dale Chihuly glass chandelier installed over the Grand Staircase in July 2005.

In its 30-year history, Mingei International has organized and presented 140 major exhibitions, some of which continued to reach a nationwide audience as they traveled to other museums. Supplemented by a 9,000-volume Art Reference Library of books, films, videotapes, DVDs and photographs, these exhibitions are also enriched by public events including illustrated lectures, films, designer craftsmen demonstrations, workshops, music, theater and dance.

Mingei International Museum has produced 34 exhibition-related books and 20 videos, many of which have been distributed to libraries, museums, schools and individuals throughout the world. KINDRED SPIRITS - The Eloquence of Function in American Shaker and Japanese Arts of Daily Life, published in 1995, was awarded the American Association of Museums' 1996 First Prize in its annual Exhibition Catalogue Design competition. A companion video continues to be aired on KPBS (public television) and was nominated for a local Emmy award.

In 1986, the American Association of Museums awarded Mingei International full accreditation. In April 2000, the Museum received re-accreditation in acknowledgment of its continuing excellence, achievement and leadership.

Mingei International is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of museum professionals and community leaders. Its International Advisory Board represents 15 countries.

From its inception, Mingei International has worked with governments, other museums, universities, designer craftsmen and collectors throughout the world in developing its collection, exhibitions and events. In fulfillment of long-range plans, Mingei International is developing a digital-image database of the Museum's permanent collection and library. This cross-cultural project correlates art objects in the Museum's permanent collection with art reference books in its library. Completed portions of the Museum's art and library collection are available to the public on kiosks at both Museums.

The Escondido Museum and the Kiosk project are important in Mingei International's long-range plan to offer more and more people the opportunity to experience arts of daily life - unsurpassed beauty of expression from all eras and cultures of the world.

Mingei International Museum is funded in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program.