Entering the Colby College Museum of Art, I can feel a level of comfort. In relatively rural Maine, such a cultural center for the arts is rare, and furthermore, because of the traditional layout and amenities the museum has, I feel transported to a more urban city. The lobby itself is reminiscent of modern art museums across the globe, with a welcome desk positioned next to a small cafe. The floors are separated by time, genre, and in some instances, there are areas designated for singular artists. The lighting varies from gallery to gallery but fits the tone of the work I was looking at. One of the only peculiar things I noticed was that the walls sometimes were painted different colors for different piatinings.
Something I enjoy looking at in museums is the acquisition numbers. I feel like which paintings a museum has out shows the current ambitions the institution has. However, when seeing the time the museum acquired the painting on display provides a more indepth look into the history of the museum’s culture. I have to admit that I did not spend enough time to gauge a sense of the College’s acquisition history, but I imagine this term I will reach that point. Also, curiously enough, I realized that this is only the second museum I have been in that was attached to academic buildings (the other being the Addison Gallery of American Art at my highschool). Going to museums in Yale and MIT, I think I enjoy being connected to academic space, especially when considering I am a student at the College. For me, I feel a sense of belonging more to the museum, and I hope that this emotion will only grow.