- What is your organization or company? Give background history including who, when, and why it was founded.
I chose the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. It is generally paired with the De Young Museum (also of San Francisco). I have been the museum many, many times while growing up in the Bay Area.
The Legion of Honor was a gift from Adolph and Alma de Brettville Spreckles to San Francisco. Alma loved French architecture and wanted to recreate one of her favorite buildings in San Francisco. The building, always intended to be an art museum, was finished in 1924. It opened on Armistice Day that year. “In keeping with the wishes of the donors, to ‘honor the dead while serving the living.’” It is dedicated to all those from California who served in WW1. It was renovated in 1995 and continues to hold a vastly large and impressive collection of art from many historical times periods.
2. What do they do or make – describe the products and services and what makes them unique.
The building itself is very elegant. And while San Francisco certainly has wonderful architectural character, the Legion stands out. It sits in Lincoln Park with impressive views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Legion of Honor is mainly an art museum but it also houses many historical pieces. It “displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art.” From time to time, in conjuncture with the De Young Museum nearby, it hosts traveling exhibits. It has hosted the recent Impressionists exhibit, some of the King Tut artifacts, and at one point the Faberge exhibit.
It is unique because of its vast amount of “art.” They are reaching back into history and placing ancient statues in the same museum as works of art by Monet and Manet. To me, it seems a very distinct approach to being a “fine arts institution.”
3. Describe the culture of the organization or company. What is the work environment like – the atmosphere? What is the building like – exterior/interior, architecture, fittings and furniture? How do the employees work together? What are the jobs and roles of individuals? How are they treated by management?
While I do not know much about the work environment or how the employees are treated, I do know that most of the employment is not directly done through the Legion of Honor. Most applications go to the FAMSF (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco).
The building itself was created to imitate French architecture. It brings back classical styles with columns, an arch, and long hallways framing the front of the building with a large courtyard before the entrance. Before the building there is a large circular fountain (very simple) with a sloped walkway up to the arch that leads into the courtyard. It is a somewhat imposing building and looks somewhat stuffy to younger audiences, but I love it. The interior of the building is also classical with columns marking entrances to rooms and marble floors. The walls are simple, usually painted neutral colors. The fittings change from exhibit to exhibit.
4. Who is the targeted audience? What are their demographics?
Its target audience seems to be all of San Francisco. They want to draw in people of all ages to the museum from all over the Bay Area. The museum also provides a fair amount of education, so there is outreach to younger generations, trying to cultivate an interest early.
By virtue of being located in San Francisco, the museum will get many visitors. San Francisco is a town that values art and culture to a great extent. Though its classical nature may be attracting an older audience, with younger people being drawn to more contemporary art and smaller galleries and museums within the city, it is still a popular destination for local citizens and tourists alike.
5. What is the organization or company mission statement?
“The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco have rendered over a century of public service in the arts, and it is our mission to extend and enhance that service well into this century. More specifically, our mission encompasses the following goals:
- To present a range of exhibitions of highest quality which serve, are accessible to, and will draw broad audiences
- To provide extensive and innovative art education programs for people of all ages and interests
- To actively involve a diverse public in all of the museums’ activities
- To conserve the objects in our care
- To collect new objects relevant to the collections through purchase and gift while affording a hospitable place for collectors in the community to donate art to the public with complete confidence
- To research and publicize the collections through scholarly publishing
- To maintain two museums outfitted to deliver exceptional visitor safety, comfort, and access as well as the environmental conditions necessary to preserve and protect art
- To operate within our goals with state-of-the-art efficiency
- To contribute to the economy and culture of San Francisco
In summary, the Fine Arts Museums continue to serve as one of the premier public institutions in the western United States, existing to provide its community and region with high quality exhibitions, programs, education and outreach, and to care for San Francisco’s esteemed art collection.”
The more research I do, it seems that the De Young and the Legion of Honor are falling under the same umbrella of the FAMSF. Though I would prefer to focus on the Legion of Honor alone, a museum I have more experience with, I will re brand both of the FAMSF museums (it is already one logo), and possibly create separate logos for the two museums.