About the Tarble arts center
MISSION STATEMENT
The Tarble Arts Center welcomes students and visitors to engage with learning, cultivate broader cultural understanding, inspire ideas, and expand awareness through and about the visual arts. To that end, the Tarble serves as an arts resource for the students, faculty, and staff of Eastern Illinois University and the people of east-central Illinois by presenting thought-provoking exhibitions and community-based educational and outreach activities. The Tarble empowers learning that engages our students and other audiences to advance knowledge and interpret the world through art.
VISION STATEMENT
The Tarble will work closely with the Department of Art + Design and other departments on campus to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to learning. The Tarble will commit to upholding Eastern Illinois University's educational mission, which offers accessible learning experiences in a diverse and inclusive student-centered setting.
The Tarble will present an annual program of changing exhibitions that provide encounters with art of international significance and local relevance. The Tarble is the steward of a permanent collection of Contemporary Art, American Regionalism, and Folk Art, which connects to the broader community, providing unique opportunities for study and reflection “to take the arts to the people (Newton E. Tarble).”
| Staff | |
|---|---|
| Chris Kahler | Interim Director |
| Gisela Alvarez | Exhibitions & Collection Manager |
| Mya Harbison | Audience Development Manager |
| Kaen Henry | Deputy Director of Public Engagement |
| Student Staff | |
|---|---|
| Emily Bales | Sarah Brown |
| Alli Hausman | Christine John |
| Carli Keller | Sofia King |
| James Schnitzler | Grace Walker |
| Karina Warfel | Ellie Yates |
| TAC Advisory Board | |
|---|---|
| Brad Olson | Acting President/Vice President |
| Steve Brantly | Secretary |
| Oscar Aguilar | |
| Dorothy Bennett | |
| Barbara Bonnekessen (ex-officio) | |
| Lauri DeRuiter-Willems | |
| Anne Flaherty | |
| Laretta Henderson | |
| Holly Farley (ex-officio) | |
| Chris Kahler (ex-officio) | |
| Alex Lugo |
Our Commitment to You
The Tarble has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) since 2001. Accreditation involves a rigorous process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. AAM accreditation demonstrates the Tarble’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Of the nation’s nearly 17,500 museums, only just over 1,000 are currently accredited. The Tarble Arts Center is 1 of only 32 museums accredited in Illinois, and 1 of 7 accredited university museums in the state.
