'In Conversation' with Evan Wright of the Castellani Art Museum (2024)

Evan Wright, the Community & Academic Engagement manager at the Castellani Art Museum (CAM) is a passionate advocate for the arts. His role at CAM is akin to an artist painting on a vast canvas of community engagement. Wright blends accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity to create a masterpiece that inspires curiosity, learning and dialogue around artistic and cultural interests. Let’s dive in!

Q: What inspired you to take on the role of Community & Academic Engagement Manager at the CAM?

A: My passion for the arts and inspiring others motivated me to take on this role at the Castellani Art Museum. I have always been drawn to museums as spaces that can spark curiosity, learning, and dialogue around important artistic and cultural topics.

CAM’s excellent permanent collection and compelling exhibitions provide so many entry points for enriching conversations. Whether working with K-12 students, university classes, adult learners, or community groups, I enjoy facilitating meaningful connections to the artwork.

Q: How do you plan to use the CAM’s distinguished art collection and unique Folk Arts program to engage various audiences?

A: CAM has a rich collection of over 5,000 pieces that touch upon everything from the 19th century to modern works. Our Folk arts program allows CAM to have authentic partnerships with local community members to document traditional art practices, living histories, and experiences. Our folk art curator documents the experiences and practices of our local community members through curated exhibitions and research. They also establish connections with other organizations to present unique shows.

Q: Can you share some of the public events and opportunities you’re planning for local schools, families, and adults?

A: We offer new programs every season to engage a wide range of audiences such as; CAM Meets, Currents, Art Express, Kids ‘n Arts Camp, Public Tours, and exhibition openings to provide something for everyone at every level. All of these programs are offered at low cost or reduced admission being accessible programs such as ASI’s Art Access program and Museums 4 All that reduce barriers to museum access. On top of that, we have free general admission every day! Our Summer is packed with fun and engaging programs that will also attract adult learners to CAM. We have two new exhibitions for this summer including Colors Sing to Me: The Life and Art of Polly King and Daredevils of Niagara Falls: The Spectacle of Triumph and Tragedy. Both have engaging lectures, demonstrations, and artmaking programs associated with them that foster a better connection to the exhibitions both inside and outside our walls.

Q: How do you envision your collaboration with Niagara University faculty, students, and staff?

A: As a teaching museum, CAM is situated in a dual role, providing academic learning and learning as a public space. Since its creation, CAM has been a pivotal resource to Niagara University by providing an infusion of its collections and exhibitions to team interdisciplinary learning through custom tours with professors for classes and the larger faculty community of the university. For example, we work in tandem with Marketing students to infuse visual thinking strategies of art that bridge deeper learning and understanding of their respective areas. “AI Inspired by CAM’s Treasures” pop-up exhibition showcases the convergence of art and artificial intelligence (AI). These pieces draw direct inspiration from CAM’s rich and varied permanent collection, symbolizing a fascinating blend of traditional artistic values and the innovative possibilities of AI.

Q: What types of content are you planning to develop for community spaces?

A: We are currently working out of CAM although we are partnering with Niagara Falls Housing Authority at Packard Court to provide programs such as Art Express. This spring we recently launched Art Surge: Exploring Careers in the Arts, a program where Niagara County high schools visited and tried out different art career roles and explored the NU Campus. CAM is excited to continue this program next fall after a successful pilot this spring. We also set up tables at different events in Western Niagara County to inform and support CAM as a community resource.

Q: Can you tell readers more about the Kid’s n’ Arts Summer Camp and what the art education activities will involve?

A: Kids ‘N Arts Summer Camp is in its 20th year, and we are excited to begin five weeks of camp starting early July to mid-August. What makes this camp special is that it infuses artwork inspired by our exhibitions with theater performances where students have a well-wounded experience in the arts. It provides a unique experience for campers between the ages of 6 and 12 to integrate theater and art within the museum galleries. Campers explore many creative disciplines and experience learning while having fun.

Q: How are you preparing to connect with international visitors who make Niagara County their travel destination?

A: CAM continues to have relevant and engaging exhibitions every Summer focused on the history of Niagara Falls pulling from our collection of Niagara Falls. Our Summer is packed with fun and engaging programs that will also attract adult learners to CAM. We have two new exhibitions for this summer including Colors Sing to Me: The Life and Art of Polly King and Daredevils of Niagara Falls: The Spectacle of Triumph and Tragedy. Both have engaging lectures, demonstrations, and art-making programs associated with them that foster a better connection to the exhibitions both inside and outside our walls.

“Daredevils” showcases the courage and recklessness at one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. It explores humanity’s enduring intrigue with nature’s majesty and the extremes to which individuals will go to test their mettle against it.

Q: How has your experience with Leadership Niagara (LN) and Leadership Buffalo (LB) prepared you for this role?

A: Being a part of LN and LB has allowed me to gain experience in learning about my community and connecting with other community leaders to find meaningful ways to serve the needs of our areas. The knowledge learned in these programs was crucial to developing thoughtful ways to create programs and identify partners to expand the reach of initiatives, as well as to network with community leaders who have made an impact in our area.

Q: How do your personal interests, such as hiking the Niagara Gorge and cycling, influence your work at the CAM?

A: Getting involved in the community is very important to develop engaging programs that best serve our audiences. Having personal passions such as hiking in the Gorge, and cycling the Niagara Scenic Parkway trail, reflects a personal commitment to know my community. Getting active in the community allows me to know how to partner with other community organizations as well as be able to make connections to the CAM’s assets, especially their Niagara Falls print collection.

Q: How do you plan to connect CAM to other Western New York arts institutions?

A: There are several ways that we have worked to develop relationships with other arts and community organizations to bolster the impact of CAM’s mission and programs such as establishing partnerships and cross-promotional arrangements where we advertise/promote each other’s exhibitions, events, and programming to their respective audiences. We pursue collaborative grant opportunities that fund joint programming or initiatives between multiple cultural partners. We have also developed reciprocal benefits that allow patrons of one institution to get discounts or access at the other partner sites like with the Cultural Alliance of Niagara and being a part of the NARM (North American Reciprocal Memberships) program or one-off partnerships. Most importantly, we are a part of local museum organizations that foster professional networks and knowledge sharing among staff working at the different organizations.

If anyone would like to know more about our community programs, please call the CAM, 716-286-8200.

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