In New York, American art is the focus from Friday, May 17 to Saturday, May 18, 2019, with an arts industry conference at Bonhams, 580 Madison Avenue. Tickets here.

Initiatives in Arts and Culture's (IAC) 24th Annual American Art Conference will explore the myth, mystique and artistry that cement a work's status as a "masterpiece" of American art. Key elements include taste of the times and its documentation, as well as history's evolving judgment often recorded in the words of the artists' themselves. This consideration explores the birth and role of nostalgia as a force on American art and the celebration of which constitutes that American myth. Participants will also consider the lampooning and glorification of American art in which the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the extraordinary is elevated into the Pantheon.

Receptions, viewings, and book signings complement formal talks and panels. View the schedule here.

Among confirmed participants are: 

• Amanda C. Burdan, Curator, Brandywine River Museum of Art;
• Heather Campbell Coyle, Chief Curator, Delaware Art Museum;
• R. Ruthie Dibble, Curator, Chipstone Foundation;
• Vincent Di Girolamo, Assistant Professor, History at Baruch College, City University of New York;
• Jennifer R. Henneman, Associate Curator, Petrie Institute of Western American Art (PIWAA), Denver Art Museum;
• Ethan W. Lasser, Theodore E. Stebbins Jr. Curator of American Art, Head, Division of European and American Art, Harvard Art Museums;
• Angela Miller, Professor, Art History and Archaeology Department, Washington University in St. Louis;
• Ariel Plotek, Curator of Fine Art, Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico;
• Andrew Schoelkopf, co-founder and partner, Menconi + Schoelkopf;
• Rebecca Shaykin, Associate Curator, The Jewish Museum, where she is curating a forthcoming exhibition on art dealer Edith Halpert;
• Paul Staiti, Alumnae Foundation Professor of Fine Arts at Mount Holyoke;
• Marin R. Sullivan, director, Harry Bertoia Catalogue Raisonne and co-curator, Harry Bertoia: Sculpting Mid-Century Modern Life, a forthcoming retrospective scheduled to open at the Nasher Sculpture Center (2020);
• Jan and Marica Vilcek, Cofounders and Chairman Vice Chairman, The Vilcek Foundation;
• Farris Wahbeh, Benjamin and Irma Weiss Director of Research Resources, Whitney Museum of American Art.