Spring Break
Benton's Scalora Retires
Andrew Peters
Issue date: 8/7/06 Section: News
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When he assumed the role of director in 1996, Scalora made it his goal to improve the museum both physically and artistically. Now after adding groundbreaking exhibits and making numerous renovations, he leaves a much-improved Benton to his successors.
"It's time to pass the baton to someone else," he said.
Various physical renovations to the Benton, such as the construction of a large addition and café, made the museum more visible, accessible and attractive to students. Scalora's overhaul of the building resulted in greatly increased student attendance.
"My story is all about change," Scalora said. "I wanted to make the Benton a good place for students to hang out. I think of the museum like a restaurant - if nobody's coming, you have a problem. It was my job to find the problem and fix it."
Scalora also addressed the Benton's lack of artistic diversity during his tenure. A major proponent of multicultural art, he raised the number of works by non-white artists from five to 1000.
"My job was to change the programming to interest the student body," Scalora said. "UConn is so excited about its diversity, I felt the museum needed to reflect that in its multicultural art."
While acting as director, Scalora also developed an acute interest in human rights and opened the Human Rights Gallery, a highly photographic set of exhibits designed to raise awareness of world issues and address the human condition through art.
"Of course the university's job is to enable you for success in your chosen field, but if we don't help students understand life and death issues, we've failed to create a compassionate human being," Scalora said.
"Photography mimics our world, so it's easier to relate to," he added. "I want everyone to be able to enjoy our art, not just art history majors."
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