Miami University’s Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Art and Architecture History Capstone program with the exhibition "Rooted Here: Networks of Modern and Contemporary Art." The show is entirely student-curated, involving undergraduates in every stage of the process from selection to installation. Divided into four thematic sections, the exhibition explores the Midwest's influence on the global art landscape, featuring works by major figures such as Paul Cadmus, Miriam Schapiro, Nancy Holt, and Jim Dine.
This initiative is significant because it highlights a rare undergraduate model for professional curatorial training while challenging the "flyover country" stereotype. By showcasing how a regional university museum acts as a "crucible of change" rather than a static repository, the program demonstrates the vital role academic institutions play in fostering feminist, queer, and avant-garde art within rural or domestic Midwestern contexts.