Sculpture has Left the Building

The emergence of outdoor sculpture parks in the 1960s and 1970s began to address the shift in contemporary sculpture exhibitions towards presenting industrial, minimalistic, abstract, and often monumental works. In no small way it was also in direct contrast to the traditional white cube indoor gallery environment. By freeing sculpture from the confines of white walls, ceiling and floor, and artificial lighting to an open-air environment, a convivial marriage of art and nature started to take place. Place and space took on a whole new meaning with site-specific works being merged into the great outdoors. My thesis, Sculpture has Left the Building: The Emerging Popularity of Outdoor Sculpture Parks explored the phenomenon of outdoor sculpture parks today. Four nonprofit art organizations: Storm King, Grounds For Sculpture, Michener Art Museum, and New Hope Arts, served as case studies as each boasts its own distinctive outdoor sculpture program. Specific to the popularity of these programs was the unique position outdoor sculpture parks found themselves in as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and most art organizations, following their state guidelines, found their operations either put on hold or greatly reduced in 2020. Inherent to sculpture parks was the ability to accommodate the COVID-19 social distancing mandates which limited how many people could occupy a public space, while also feeding the public need to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Through onsite observations, interviews with the executive management and curatorial staff, and an exploration of both academic and anecdotal writings on the theme of art in nature, this research study surveyed the growing popularity of outdoor sculpture parks in the United States. Besides the research which focused on the overall phenomenon of outdoor art exhibitions and sculpture parks there were two main findings. There was the evidence-based concept of nature supporting well-being and there were reports and observations on how sculpture parks are less intimidating places to visit than traditional museums and galleries.