Morrill Act of July 2, 1862
Land Grant Act and the People's College
March 22 - April 27, 2008 
at the Christian Petersen Art Museum, 1017 Morrill Hall (See special open hours above.)

Click here for the exhibition website!

Albert Paley I Portals & Gates

August 20, 2007 - March 7, 2008
at the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall
The Lyle and Nancy Campbell Art Gallery
Click here for more information.

Visual Literacy and Learning
The establishment of the Christian Petersen Art Museum at Morrill Hall and its programs will place Petersen and his legacy of the Art on Campus Collection in the context of American Art History.  These collections artistically distinguish Iowa State University. As the first permanent campus artist-in-residence, Petersen created a tradition of campus public art.  As an ISU Presidential priority project, CPAM at Morrill Hall will be the nation’s first campus museum dedicated to campus public art and visual learning and literacy. 

Research indicates 80% of the information that sighted individuals learn is processed through visual images.  Visual learning skills, however, are not routinely taught in our college system as are mathematic, scientific and English literacy.  Visual learning instruction is directly supported by the idea that nothing can replicate the personal firsthand encounter with an object or work of art when used to tell the story of its makers, their inspirations, technologies, and socioeconomic circumstances.  By developing visual learning skills, each student can become a better communicator, critical thinker, and improve in all academic areas he or she studies.  This innovative way of learning through objects can open new doors for ISU students that led to greater opportunities in their academic careers.  By offering integrated curricula in visual learning, the University Museums and the CPAM can assist ISU students to become better learners and faculty members to become better instructors. 

An object-learning classroom will be adjacent to the exhibition galleries, and this space can become a visual literacy learning lab with mini-exhibitions curated by students and faculty.  These innovative classrooms and exhibition spaces will be primary sites for faculty/student interaction with, and use of, University Museums Art Collection.  Direct hands-on access to collection objects will be provided, without sacrificing prudent security and preservation measures.  Students and faculty may choose to study a selection of objects for their material properties, manufacture, and scientific principles, while another class may focus on aesthetic and cultural considerations of the same objects. Classes of different disciplines, such as mechanical engineering and design, botany and landscape architecture, or history and agriculture may choose to collaborate in this educational process. Physical and virtual access to collections, the collections databases, and other related resources would be available.

Nothing motivates students to higher performances more than a sense that what they are studying is of real relevance and importance to themselves, their lives and personal aspirations.  The art and objects collected by museums captures the essence of world cultures available to the public through exhibitions and other programming.  A vision for new exhibition galleries includes keys to many such doors where students can see themselves and others reflected in the material culture collected by University Museums. The Christian Petersen Art Museum at Morrill Hall supports the University Museums and the University’s mission and strategic plan. In addition the Christian Petersen Art Museum at Morrill Hall will be intellectually and physically accessible-- encouraging participation of the widest possible audience consistent within the mission and provided resources.

To arrange a tour of the Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum, or Art on Campus Collection, please  fill out our the University Museums online Tour Request Form and email to ajhall@iastate.edu.