Baltimore museum sells art by white male artists to diversify collection

Jack Whitten’s 9.11.01, 2006. Source: the Baltimore Museum of Art

The Baltimore Museum of Art has put on sale artworks by seven white men to get money for the acquisition of works by male and female artists from other ethnic and cultural communities, Artforum reports.

Among the pieces offered for sale are works by Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Franz Kline. The proceeds will go on the acquisition of twenty three works – video, panting, sculpture, prints and photography – by other authors.

“Museums are entering a new era of heightened consciousness of incomplete histories and biases that must be addressed,” the museum’s director Christopher Bedford said. “In acquiring works by the most significant black and female artists working in the United States, as well as pivotal works from Korea, China, Mexico, and Japan, we hope to not only methodically address previous omissions in our collection but also broaden the canon and historical narrative told through art.”

He also added: “By moving towards equitable representation and historical accuracy in our collection, we aspire to become a better reflection of our Baltimore community and lead fruitful dialogue on future museum practices amongst our peers. This group of acquisitions is just the beginning.”