Faculty & Teaching

In this section and throughout the Tang's website, you will find links to exhibitions, events, assignments, and pedagogies developed by Skidmore faculty to utilize the museum as an interdisciplinary teaching resource. Skidmore faculty use the Tang, its exhibitions and collections as a resource for teaching, a classroom, and a subject for research and writing. Faculty also regularly serve as co-curators and organizers of exhibitions; as choreographers, directors and performers in dance and music at the museum; as authors for catalog essays and gallery texts; and as participants in lectures and dialogues.

Faculty members from many different disciplines have used the Tang to stimulate exploration and discovery in a variety of ways in the classroom. These include visits to the exhibitions, research using objects from the collections, critiques and discussions with visiting artists from Tang exhibitions, and use of Tang catalogues as class texts. Class assignments involving the Tang have taken the form of analytic essays, research papers, oral and visual presentations, and even small exhibitions within the museum. When asked how students are engaged with course material when working with the Tang, faculty noted that students performed deeper analysis of material, questioned assumptions, took conceptual leaps, and demonstrated enthusiasm for the material.

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Bringing Your Class
The Tang offers self-guided and docent-led tours for college groups during normal gallery hours. For group tours or visits, please contact Susi Kerr at 518-580-5532 or skerr@skidmore.edu. Advanced notice of two weeks is appreciated.

Please include the following information in your email or voicemail:

Gallery Hours

September through May
Tuesday - Friday 10am to 5pm
Thursday 10am to 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 12pm to 5pm
Closed Mondays and major holidays

June through August
Tuesday - Thursday 10am to 5pm
Friday 10am to 7pm
Saturday & Sunday 12pm to 5pm
Closed Mondays and major holidays

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Collections Access

The Tang Collection of over 6,000 objects represents a wide variety of materials, subject matter, and time periods. From Pre-Columbian pots to works made by current contemporary artists, our collection offers an unlimited variety of opportunities for study, inspiration, and discussion for the Skidmore community and beyond. The collection is used in imaginative ways and varying contexts through classes, exhibitions, and research.

Classes from all disciplines at Skidmore may reserve the Kettlewell Print Study Room and Permanent Collections Storage Area. Faculty interested in viewing objects should contact Tang staff at least two weeks in advance to plan their visit. Public access to these areas is also available by appointment.

A portion of the collection is also available to the Skidmore community through ARTstor. For questions or to schedule your visit, please contact Elizabeth Karp, Head Museum Registrar & Collections Manager, either via email at ekarp@skidmore.edu or by phone at 518.580.5065.

Faculty Liaison

As a member of the English and Environmental Studies departments, Professor Alison Barnes serves as the Faculty Liaison to the Tang Museum. In this role she offers peer guidance to faculty members engaged in museum-based teaching. This includes discussions about shaping museum assignments, implementing classes within the museum, and developing curricula that utilize the museum throughout the semester. The Faculty Liaison also supports communication between the college and the museum by connecting faculty with the museum staff members who will best support their engagement with the museum: the curatorial, education and registration staff, and the Tang administration.

Professor Barnes teaches interdisciplinary courses at Skidmore, including the course “Writing in the Tang.” Her engagement with faculty seminars at Skidmore extends to both the Luce seminars and the ongoing Mellon seminars. She is currently collaborating with Tang staff members and Skidmore faculty from across the disciplines to develop web resources that support faculty engagement with the museum.

The Faculty Liaison is available by request throughout the academic year for individual and group discussions. Please contact her through email: abarnes@skidmore.edu.
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