The University of New Mexico Art Museum (UNMAM) has paused its gallery exhibitions to launch a "Collections Year" project, prompted by a major gift of over 100 photographs from collectors Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser. The museum's galleries are now temporary workspaces where staff and 12 collections apprentices are cataloging, condition-reporting, and processing hundreds of new artworks, including prints and drawings dating back to the 15th century. Study rooms remain open for visitors and classes during this period.
This initiative matters because it highlights the behind-the-scenes stewardship essential for preserving museum collections, especially for a teaching institution. The Steinhauser gift—containing roughly 60 artworks and over 150 objects—signals UNMAM's growing reputation among major donors, who value that works are actively used by students and faculty rather than stored away. The project also creates hands-on training opportunities in art preservation and museum studies, reinforcing the museum's educational mission.