I do get it, especially the provision of “pure, uninterrupted views of the artwork.” This does make sense to me regarding the additional staff members. However, where they stand and how they follow you sometimes causes them to intrude on the viewing of the art or the viewer rather than appear as if they are there to answer questions. And, yes, they have been more than friendly.

In any case, perhaps it is a matter of their positioning rather than their presence?

Thanks again, and I would also urge your staff and the SLSO to think about alternative listening arrangements. Unleash the music AND the people and that space will truly live up to its holistic potential!

Thanks for taking time to give us your feedback. We are always trying to maintain a balance between providing the visitor the best aesthetic experience and securing the safety of the artwork. During concerts it can be particularly difficult to strike the balance because it is more crowded and the facility is being used as a performance space. Placements are decided based on concerns for proximity of artworks, number of musicians, equipment required, etc. The placements of gallery staff are continually being assessed for each concert so we will take your comments into consideration, in addition to the central need of building and artwork security.

Another unique aspect of the Pulitzer is that we strive not to have stanchions, platforms, taped boundaries, etc. interfere with the visual field of the artworks. This provides visitors with pure, uninterrupted views of the artworks, but it does require us to have more gallery assistants than other museums and galleries. These staff members have two important roles; they are here to maintain security and to answer any questions that a guest might have about a work of art or the building. Turns out they are more apt to answer visitor inquiries than your average stanchion!

Thanks for attending the concert and offering your comments. Please engage our gallery staff on your next visit because I think you will find they are helpful, friendly and informative. They are here to make your experience a more positive one.

Courtney Henson
Visitor Services Manager
The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts

Every time I go to the Pulitzer, there are more docents standing around than visitors. And they stare at you, And they follow you around. And they are sometimes on top of you to where you can’t even hold a quiet conversation with the people you came with without feeling like your privacy is being violated. It is the height of irony that such a glorious and open space (I do love it, don’t get me wrong) feels so confining. Even just approaching the entrance doors, you see some burley guy standing right there with his arms crossed, like your public enemy number one just for wanting to patronize and support the museum.

I fully understand the need to protect the art. But can’t you find a less intrusive way of doing this? I go to museums all around the world and this is the only one that feels like it’s run by Homeland Security.

The only positive from all this is the first time this happened, I came home and write a one-act play about the experience