The Crocker Art Museum, located in Sacramento, California, is a world-renowned institution dedicated to the advancement of art and culture. It houses an impressive collection of American, European, and Asian works from the late 18th to the early 21th century. With a mission to “engage and inspire the community by collecting, preserving and interpreting works of art,” the museum provides educational and cultural resources for both locals and visitors alike.
Since its opening in 1885, the museum has become renowned for its collection of Californian art. It boasts numerous pieces by celebrated local artists such as Thomas Hill, Charles Christian Nahl, Theodora Kracke, William Keith, Maynard Dixon and Edwin Deakin. Additionally, it boasts a wide range of other works from various periods including Dutch Baroque paintings from the 17th century as well as Mexican colonial sculptures from the 19th century.
The Crocker Art Museum is currently managed by its Director & CEO Lial A. Jones. She has been in this role since 2009 and has been instrumental in the museum’s success over that time period. However, she does not have sole responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the museum; this task is shared with her team of curators who are responsible for maintaining its vast collection.
Dr. Scott A. Shields, Associate Director & Chief Curator at the Crocker Art Museum is one such curator who plays an integral role in managing and preserving the museum’s collections. He holds a PhD in Art History from UCLA and joined the Crocker Art Museum in 1997 as an assistant curator before eventually rising to his current position in 2011.
Since his appointment Dr. Shields has curated numerous memorable exhibitions such as ‘The Big Picture: Masterworks from SFMOMA’ (2012), ‘Contemporary Muslim Fashions’ (2018) and ‘Bringing Impressionism to California’ (2019). He was also instrumental in launching various public programs including ‘Art Mix’, which offers free admission every third Thursday evening with live music entertainment.
Dr. Shields is therefore the Curator of Crocker Art Museum. His dedication to preserving and celebrating art history has been invaluable for ensuring that visitors have access to a diverse range of work across multiple mediums.
In conclusion, Dr Scott A Shields is the Curator of Crocker Art Museum, responsible for maintaining its vast collection since 2011 when he was appointed Associate Director & Chief Curator at this renowned institution dedicated to advancing art and culture.