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
Film & Fashion: Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon just nabbed ten Oscar nominations, including one for Costume Design. But how do you authentically take people back to the Osage Nation of the 1920's? How do you get every deta…
Edward Hopper Abides
On our first episode of 2024, we chat with the co-directors of an acclaimed new PBS American Masters documentary on legendary New York painter, Edward Hopper. "Hopper: An American Love Story" has it all; lonely people in…
Art Basel Miami Beach: A Diary
Art Basel Miami Beach, the biggest international modern/contemporary art fair in North America, took place earlier this month; thousands of art dealers, artists, collectors, curators, and art aficionados showed up. Kate…
Sharon Stone
You probably know Sharon Stone the actress. It's time you get to know Sharon Stone the ARTIST. Over the past few years, the Oscar nominee has turned painting into a dedicated daily practice. On this episode we talk about…
Impossible Music
We travel to Pittsburgh's Miller Institute of Contemporary Art (Carnegie Mellon University) for the special exhibition, IMPOSSIBLE MUSIC, a fascinating collection of sounds, scores, sculptures, video, live performances,…
Trade & Transformation
Every object holds a story. That's the idea behind the thought-provoking new Philbrook exhibition, TRADE & TRANSFORMATION. Curator Kalyn Fay Barnoski (Cherokee Nation enrollee, Muscogee descent) originated and organized…
Live in Iowa: Words & Pictures
In 2008, a catastrophic flood shut down the art museum on the University of Iowa campus. 15 years later, the museum has finally reopened with a new building, new name (The Stanley), and a new catalog created in partnersh…
Scorsese, Songs, and More with Randall Poster
From time to time we explore the question, "what is a curator?" For the past 30 years, Randall Poster has been searching for, securing rights for, and working alongside directors to find the perfect moment for music in c…
Erasing History
Video journalist Alexandra Eaton of The New York Times joins us to share an unforgettable story that begins with a painting created in 1837 New Orleans. It depicts a well-to-do family's three children and a Black enslave…
Summer Vacation to "Dalíland"
In the new biopic, Dalíland, acclaimed director Mary Harron give us a glimpse into the Salvador Dalí's later years in 70s New York City via the immense talents of Academy Award-winner, Sir Ben Kingsley. From her look at…