Of course we're talking about the recent theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris, which occurred on October 19th and promptly made news headlines worldwide. Four masked and hooded thieves took more than $100 in jewels before exiting the museum (in broad daylight) and speeding away on motor scooters. Amid the many articles and written reports concerning this theft that appeared just after it happened, one piece that caught out eyes was "The Louvre Heist Was a Colonial Wake-Up Call" (from Hyperallergic, the arts/cultural website). Our guest on Museum Confidential is the author of this piece, Dr. Emiline Smith, a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Glasgow, Scotland (UK).
Museum Confidential
Ever wonder what really happens after the museum doors close for the night? Museum Confidential, hosted by Jeff Martin, pulls back the velvet rope to explore the hidden stories, unexpected challenges, and fascinating people that make museums tick. This isn't a dry lecture on art history; it's a candid conversation from the heart of the institution itself. Produced by the Philbrook Museum of Art in partnership with Public Radio Tulsa, each episode feels like a private tour, revealing the complex decisions behind exhibitions, the peculiarities of caring for priceless objects, and the ongoing debates about what museums are and who they serve. You'll hear from curators, conservators, registrars, and even security staff-the voices often unheard by the public. The result is a surprisingly human and sometimes humorous look at the effort to preserve and present culture. Tune in every other week for this unique podcast that demystifies the inner workings of these cultural cornerstones, proving there's always more to the story than what's hanging on the wall.
Podcast Episodes
The Wright Time: Part 2
Let's go back to Arizona. In part 2 of our look at the impact of the COVID-19 era on the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, we go a bit deeper and chat with the department heads who keep the wheels turning. Recorded live on-…
OUR PEOPLE: Cara Romero
On the third episode of OUR PEOPLE, Rebecca sits down (virtually) with artist/photographer, Cara Romero (Chemehuevi ). Now based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Cara grew up alternating between the rural Chemehuevi reservation…
The Wright Time: Part 1
Our intrepid host reports from an unforgettable desert journey to Taliesin West in Arizona, home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. In late 2019 we were invited by the Foundation to do a live show for a real, human au…
OUR PEOPLE: America Meredith
On this episode of OUR PEOPLE, Rebecca chats with acclaimed artist and First American Art Magazine editor, America Meredith (Cherokee) about her work, family, and more. Presented in connection with the landmark special e…
OUR PEOPLE: Anita Fields
In connection with the landmark special exhibition, Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists (on view through 1/3/21), Museum Confidential presents a new limited series hosted by journalist/podcaster, Rebecca Nagle (Ch…
Do Museums Have a Docent Problem?
Docents, volunteers, tour guides, whatever you want to call them, have been and remain an important part of the museum visitor experience. As the world and demographics change, how do museums make sure volunteers keep up…
Art for Justice
Agnes Gund is a legend in the art world for her collection, her philanthropy, and her decision in 2017 to sell a painting by Roy Lichtenstein for $165 million and launch the Art for Justice Fund. She's also the subject o…
Accidentally Wes Anderson
We miss movies. Due to the pandemic, the latest Wes Anderson movie has been bumped to 2021. But fans aren't leaving 2020 empty handed. One of our favorite Instagram feeds the past few years is the gentle escapism of ACCI…
Native Women Artists
On this episode we explore the groundbreaking exhibition, "Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists" with Philbrook Curator Christina Burke. The first of its kind and years in the making, this show honors the achieveme…