Department of Global Contemporary Art
The Department of Global Contemporary Art (GCA) at Mia centers the work of living artists and serves a primary institutional role in the acquisition, research, exhibition, and publication of works of art created from 1970 to the present. Our work together is interdisciplinary in nature, guided by curiosity and learning, and collaborative in its aims, with the goal of creating meaningful contributions to the intersectional fields that define contemporary art in the 21st century. We work in partnership with established living artists as well as our colleagues in Mia’s geographically defined curatorial departments to ensure the future of the collection and to foster new conversations regarding Mia’s global historical collections.
Department Staff
Casey Riley
Chair of Global Contemporary Art and
Curator of Photography and New Media
Dennis Michael Jon
Associate Curator of Contemporary Art
Leslie Ureña
Associate Curator of Global Contemporary Art
Nicole E. Soukup
Supervisor, Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program
Joseph Doherty
Collection Care Specialist
Stephanie Kahle
Curatorial Department Assistant
Contact
Email: Contemporary@artsmia.org
Phone: 612.870.3035
Browse the Collection
Highlights of the Contemporary Collection
A rotating selection of masterworks, spanning 1970 to present, in a diverse range of media by artists that display the breadth and aspirations of Mia’s growing Contemporary Art collection.
Photography Collection Highlights
Mia’s collection of photography is renowned for the quality and depth of its holdings, especially in works from the 20th century. The department serves as a rich resource for artists, scholars, and interested members of the public seeking to expand their knowledge of the medium and its history.
Women in the Contemporary Collection
Historically overlooked and marginalized, women artists are championed by and integral to Mia’s Contemporary Art collection.
Women and LGBTQIA2S+ Photographers
The department maintains a growing collection of works by women and artists identifying as LGBTQIA. Many photographs demonstrate the depth of the department’s holdings of historical photography, while contemporary works present new grounds for consideration.
Resources
Online Highpoint Editions Archive at Mia
Read an interview with Highpoint Editions’ master printer and essays on the print workshop and selected artists and artworks. Explore prints and multiples, as well as ancillary production materials, created by thirty-nine visiting artists at Highpoint Editions that together compose the Highpoint Editions Archive at Mia.
Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP)
The Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) is a curatorial program of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, dedicated to exhibiting and supporting artists living and working in Minnesota.
Contemporary Art Department Video Channel
Explore video content from past Contemporary Art exhibitions, programs, and events.
Contemporary Art Programs, Talks, and Presentations
Durades Dialogues
Artists in Residence
MAEP
McKnight Artist Series
Photography and New Media Programs, Talks, and Presentations
Explore a wealth of recorded lectures, talks, and other videos on photography, photographers, and new media art and artists.
The Arnold and Augusta Newman Lecture Series
Thanks to generous support from the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation, Mia is proud to host the annual Arnold Newman Lecture in Photography and New Media.
The Photographs Study Room
Because less than 1 percent of the Mia’s photography collection is on view in the galleries at any given time, the Photographs Study Room offers visitors the opportunity to view original photographs from the museum’s permanent collection. We welcome visitors with any level of expertise by appointment.
Support
Art Champions
The restoration and conservation of artworks in Mia’s collection are ever-present concerns. Art Champions is a program that connects art lovers with artworks that require conservation to be displayed to the public.