The Hillstrom Museum of Art

Since The Hillstrom Museum of Art opened in 2000, the collection has more than doubled to over 650 artworks and featured 130 exhibitions. In 2023, the Hillstrom moved under the purview of the Art & Art History department in order to maximize curricular engagement. While most of the exhibitions prior to 2023 were borrowed art from other institutions, moving forward the focus will be on the extraordinary selection of American art within the Hillstrom collection. The future of the museum centers students in its decision-making as we pivot to become a liberal arts laboratory. Exhibitions are created through courses and the Signature Experience as students research, curate, and make curricular connections across the college. Annually, four to six courses from a variety of departments are held in the flexible classroom and inviting study spaces are integral to the exhibition design. Adapting to student interest and faculty expertise furthers Hillstrom’s original mission “to support the understanding and appreciation of fine art at the College.” 

Mission

Our mission is to facilitate the exploration and presentation of diverse ideas through the Hillstrom collection. We foster inclusive learning via the arts to promote meaningful conversations to support education and creativity at Gustavus.

Vision

To develop the Hillstrom Art Museum as an adaptable space to share multicultural heritage and actively engage the St. Peter community by creating an empathetic environment that fosters open discussion through the exhibition of art.

Values

The Hillstrom is an institution that values:

• Engagement within the Gustavus community, focusing on collaboration with other departments, student organizations, and the broader community of St. Peter, Minnesota
• Ethical museum practices that comply with NAGPRA laws, recognizing that the museum is built on the homelands of the Dakota people
• Diverse perspectives and cultures that contribute to the value of art and artists
• The exchange and preservation of knowledge through inclusive art exhibits and meaningful conversations within Gustavus and the St. Peter community
• Accurate documentation of artists and their stories through student research and scholarship
• Liberal arts education, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
• The promotion, protection, and preservation of the collection
• Being accessible to all, both within the physical space and expanding database

Purpose

The Hillstrom Art Museum activates its collection for student learning and leisure. Student-centered narratives and a focus on innovation make the museum a place for interdisciplinary education. By exchanging ideas and encouraging collaboration with the community, the Hillstrom provides cultural context for our histories and offers a safe environment to engage in critical conversations. 

Composed and conferred by the following students during Reimagining Museums (ART-298) Fall 2024: Joseph Auge, Carsten Bentley, Kayla Bluhm, Willa Brown, Carson DeKam, Emma Deyo, Jacob Grice, Hari Halvorson, Synnove Hunnes, Alli Kurth, Becky LaCanne, Ryan Lester, Kaelyn Lobalbo, Brooke Power, Audrey Power Theisen, Connor Rautio, Abigail Ronnebaum, Chloe Rossow, Celeste Thalhammer, Brooklyn Ullrich with the support of art history professor Colleen Stockmann

Location