The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis recently celebrated its landmark 20th anniversary. On Sept. 19, 2003, the new museum opened its doors with the objective of inspiring curiosity, creativity, learning and conversation through experiences with contemporary art. Twenty years later, CAM is still connecting global and local communities to the most prominent issues of the moment while uplifting emerging artists. The museum spotlights contemporary art exhibits that speak directly to the present moment, inspiring discourse about the shared issues in our community and the world.
Since the museum opened, it has seen more than 600,000 visitors and showcased more than 700 emerging artists, some of whom have gone on to receive critical acclaim, including Dominic Chambers, Nicole Eisenman, Maya Lin, Yowshien Kuo and more. In addition, CAM, in partnership with the Gateway Foundation, offers awards and exhibit opportunities for local artists through the nationally juried Great Rivers Biennial. This collaborative program has recognized more than 30 unique St. Louis artists and awarded $600,000 to the local art community. Furthermore, the museum not only presents art inside but also outside with “Street Views,” an ongoing series projecting 60-foot artwork on the façade every night from dusk to midnight.
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“At its founding, the museum was envisioned as a forum where inventive and challenging art would create meaningful conversation,” executive director Lisa Melandri says. “Formerly known as the Forum for Contemporary Art, we never lost that spirit and priority given to this idea of the forum. It is still in our DNA, and it lives through CAM’s exhibitions, programs, initiatives and community partnerships.”
CAM also recognizes the museum’s importance in the community as a place for people to gather and appreciate art together. As a free, open space since 2013, the museum has endeavored to create a site where visitors can see themselves interacting every day, whether that be examining exhibits, enjoying coffee or lunch at AO&Co., the museum’s café, or holding a work meeting in the courtyard.
“Our vision has always been to offer a space that is extraordinary for viewing art while also serving as a gathering place, a living room for the community,” Melandri says. “CAM has put a lot of thought and intention into cultivating a space where people can see themselves frequenting day to day.”
In the future, CAM plans to stay true to its vision: nurturing St. Louis artists, supporting the local art community and being a versatile space for visitors to enjoy. “Based on the first 20 years, we know some things will remain true for CAM: We will connect with and introduce audiences to incredible artists and exhibitions; we will continue to foster strong connections to the St. Louis community; and we will serve the next generations of St. Louis through our youth education programs,” Melandri says. “We will continue to offer a space where many different people can come together to share experiences of discovery and joy.”
At this time, CAM invites the public to stop in and see several exhibitions currently on display through Aug. 11: “Paul Chan: Breathers,” “Transform Your Hood” and “Art Reach: The Art of Caring.” In addition, CAM will hold “First Friday in Grand Center: Transform Your Hood Town Hall’’ from 5 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 2. This event is a town hall-style discussion for community members to interact with the “Transform Your Hood” exhibit, a non-partisan campaign created in partnership between CAM, Speak Up St. Louis and Transform 314.
Undoubtedly, CAM gives locals and visitors much to look forward to as an integral part of the St. Louis art community. One thing is for sure: CAM will continue to ensure that vital creative voices are included and heard as long as it is standing.
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, 314-535–4660, camstl.org