At a glance
A look into the life and methods of Jermayne MacAgy, the curator who redefined how modern audiences engage with art through her staging at the Menil.
Why go
This show offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the evolution of exhibition design, highlighting how MacAgy’s atmospheric installations turned the museum into a space for active learning and conversation.
You'll see
Dynamic installation techniques · Curatorial archives · History of the Menil collection · Examples of 20th-century display design
Pace of visit
The display focuses on archival materials and historical context, requiring a steady pace to appreciate the evolution of museum presentation.
Don't miss
Evidence of the collaborative process between MacAgy and the de Menils, which shaped the collection's focus on curiosity and public engagement.
Artlovers Tip
Observe how the lighting in this gallery mirrors the "atmospheric" principles MacAgy championed, then walk through the permanent collection to see her influence in action.
Inside the exhibition
Meet the artist
Description
How to Make an Exhibition: The Story of Jermayne MacAgy at The Menil Collection in Houston, USA, examines the influential career of a curator who helped shape the modern museum experience. Between the mid-1950s and mid-1960s, MacAgy collaborated with John and Dominique de Menil to develop a collection and a display style rooted in engagement rather than passive viewing.
The presentation covers MacAgy’s tenure in San Francisco and Houston, illustrating how her dynamic staging techniques encouraged visitors to look at objects with fresh curiosity. By using light and space to create specific atmospheres, she aimed to make artworks communicate directly with the viewer, a philosophy that remains central to the Menil’s identity today.
This study of museology highlights MacAgy’s role as a pioneer who moved art institutions away from rigid academic structures toward more conversational and inviting environments. It provides essential context for the Menil Collection’s distinctive approach to lighting and installation, offering a historical perspective on why these galleries feel so different from traditional museums.
Worth travelling for?
A specialized and insightful show for anyone interested in the history of museum design and the people who shaped the way we see art today.
Experience as an Artlover
Begin by exploring the archival documents that illustrate MacAgy’s initial projects before moving to the sections detailing her specific lighting and layout techniques used within the Menil’s permanent galleries.
How to Make an Exhibition: The Story of Jermayne MacAgy
Artlovers relevance
Plan your visit
Hours & rating from Google