The Re-Imagining Process
The Salem Art Association (SAA) believes in the power of art to not only educate, entertain, delight, and dazzle, but to simultaneously interrogate, stimulate, and challenge. Ultimately, we hope that our exhibitions will generate thoughtful reflection and conversation, while fostering growth and healing across our community.
As caretakers of the Bush House Museum, SAA has a special responsibility to look closely at the historical record and, when evidence of oppression or racism comes to light, to acknowledge wrongdoings in an honest and upfront manner. To this end, we must clearly and unequivocally condemn Asahel Bush’s racist words and actions.
SAA is currently working to redefine the history, artifacts and art being presented at Bush House Museum. This Re-Imagining process is meant to be ongoing, inclusive, and intentional. We believe this work is necessary and important both as a local project here in Salem as well as a part of our broader national conversation about colonialism, oppression, discrimination, and racism in America.
Going forward, the fundamental building blocks of this work will be our newly crafted Mission, Vision and Values Statements – which are copied below.
We welcome your feedback and, as always, are interested in hearing your ideas and suggestions for future programming and exhibitions.
Matthew Boulay, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Salem Art Association
Mission Statement
The Bush House Museum is engaged in an inclusive and intentional Re-Imagining of the history, artifacts and art presented in the Museum. This Re-Imagining process is meant to be ongoing, inclusive, and intentional. Ultimately, we believe that our work is to engage artists and curators who are drawn to the unique opportunity of exhibiting in a historic house museum – in other words, this space is not neutral, it is not a white cube gallery; it is, rather, both an extraordinary piece of architectural history, replete w/ period objects and furnishings, and a space burdened by a painful history. In short, our mission lies at the intersection of historical interrogation and contemporary art.
Vision Statement
The Bush House Museum envisions becoming a cultural destination for every member of our community, and an intimate place where artists and performers can transform
the burdens of history into hope, healing and joy.
To that end, we are committed to telling stories that dissolve the separation between “us” and “them.” Collaboration will be an essential part of how we create a space that is shared by all of us and celebrated precisely because our history and our community, then and now, is rich in its diversity.
We intend to move forward with openness to new ideas and a willingness to change while attempting to preserve what is special and unique about BHM.
Values Statement
- As curators of a historic house museum, we have a special responsibility to look closely at the historical record and, when evidence of oppression or racism comes to light, to acknowledge wrongdoings in an honest and upfront manner. To this end, we clearly and unequivocally condemn Asahel Bush’s racist words and actions. As the first claimant to this house, Bush’s legacy is clearly relevant; but as the present caretakers of this house our values compel us to move in a new direction that is intentionally more open, shared and inclusive.
- We are committed to highlighting and supporting artists across a diverse range of experiences, perspectives, and studio practices, and we believe in the power of art to not only educate, entertain, delight, and dazzle, but to simultaneously interrogate, stimulate, and challenge.
- We strongly condemn prejudice and racism in all its forms, and are committed to supporting and exhibiting artists whose work envisions a more just, caring, and equitable world.
- Ultimately, we hope that our exhibitions and other programming will generate thoughtful reflection and conversation, while fostering growth and healing across our community. We believe this work is necessary and important both as a local project here in Salem and as part of a broader national conversation about colonialism, oppression, discrimination, and racism in America.
- We welcome your feedback and, as always, are interested in hearing your ideas and suggestions for future programming and exhibitions.
Welcome to the Bush House Museum 