The Doris Ulmann Galleries enhance Berea College’s mission and further the appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts for the general public. Whatever your program, you will find the Galleries and the Berea College Art Collection offer something for you.

1. Travel the world. The Berea College Art Collection combines Berea’s commitment to Appalachia with our focus on educating global citizens. Doris Ulmann’s founding gift of a large collection of her photographs of the region coupled with funds to build a gallery set the groundwork for the Galleries’ expansive and wide-ranging collection. The core of the collection includes paintings and prints by European and American masters, contemporary ceramics, and Asian and African art.

2. Experience the real thing. The Berea College Art Collection is home to over 16,000 works of art. Experience original objects, develop visual literacy and aesthetic skills, and explore how art evokes emotion, communicates, connects, and inspires.

3. Engage the Galleries as a teaching laboratory. The Galleries support curricula in all disciplines. Encourage students to participate in public programs and visit exhibitions. Build course assignments based on the collections, exhibitions and programs. Or request the exhibition of select works of art related to curricular needs.

4. Go behind the scenes. Need to access artwork not on view? Arrange for class visits and research sessions in the Rogers Gallery, our dedicated teaching and learning space, to deepen students’ understanding of course material or for independent research.

5. Make art from art. Students and faculty in art, music, dance, theater, film, and creative writing draw inspiration from the collection and exhibitions.

6. Pursue a research question. Consult the Curator for special projects with students and opportunities to conduct independent scholarly research.

7. Take advantage of the Galleries’ expertise. The Curator is available to present lectures in a wide array of course areas, including art and art history, education, collections and non-profit management, and exhibition design.

8. Share your expertise. Contribute to the scholarship of the Galleries by presenting a lecture or other public program in your area of expertise related to collections or special exhibitions. Serve as a liaison to on-and off-campus communities with which you are active.

9. Help create an exhibition. Do you have an idea an exhibition? Faculty and students may serve as guest curators, researchers, and advisors for both large and small exhibitions.

10. Continue your education. Public programs and exhibitions expand knowledge of the world.

11. Use the Galleries as a learning laboratory. Evaluate the Galleries and their programs. Study how people learn in informal learning environments. Students can seek internships, and employment opportunities and serve as the Galleries’ event staff, collections and exhibitions assistants, and more.

12. Go with a guide. Schedule a guided tour for your class with the Curator, or arrange a visit co-facilitated by the Curator and course instructor.

13. Visit on your own. Assign students to visit the museum to complete course assignments. Lead your class on a self-guided tour of the Galleries. (Don’t forget to let us know in advance when to expect your visit!)