In an effort to fight against gender inequality, the Baltimore Museum of Art has announced that it will only buy works made by women in the year 2020. The museum's current Director, Christopher Bedford noted that a shocking 96% of pieces in the museum were created by male artists, meaning only 4% of displayed pieces were made by women.
In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, the Director stated: "To rectify centuries of imbalance, you have to do something radical." In an interview with Artnet he later said: "One thing the BMA rests on, and I think this is enormously important, is that it is a museum built largely by women."
Women-Only Museum Purchases
The Baltimore Museum of Art Will Only Buy from Women Artists in 2020
Trend Themes
1. Gender Equality in Art - Opportunity to promote gender equality in the art industry by supporting and showcasing women artists.
2. Increasing Representation of Women Artists - Emphasizing the need to increase the visibility and recognition of women artists in the art world.
3. Challenging Traditional Art Canon - Disrupting the traditional art canon by prioritizing and amplifying underrepresented voices in the industry.
Industry Implications
1. Art Museums - Museums can leverage this trend to redefine their collection and highlight women artists.
2. Art Galleries - Art galleries can curate exhibitions that exclusively feature works by women artists, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
3. Art Education - Art education institutions can incorporate the work and contributions of women artists into their curriculum, fostering a more comprehensive and inclusive art education.