Beyond CAMH is a newly launched initiative that reflects contemporary art’s ever-expanding influence through an ongoing series of artist-driven projects and public partnerships extending beyond the walls of the Museum. CAMH’s work outside our galleries—including public artworks and cross-sector collaborations—aims to reach new audiences, embrace unexpected contexts, and directly impact civic life in Houston and beyond. Spanning multiple scales and contexts, Beyond CAMH positions artists as primary catalysts of cultural and public realm transformation.

Beyond CAMH seeks to re-imagine the ethic and practice of a more porous museum—one that spills onto the street, engages in long-term collaborations with artists, meets audiences where they are, and serves our communities’ most urgent needs. These initiatives create a platform to re-imagine and recommit to our role as a civically engaged institution. We know that by trusting artists, and working to expand their agency in the public realm, meaning will shine through.

“CAMH’s doors have been closed for the past four months as we prioritize the safety of our staff and audience in response to the increasing effects of COVID-19. During this time, we’ve amplified our digital engagement, performed a stunning renovation of the gallery (we can’t wait to show you!), welcomed new staff, and most importantly—we’ve had time to think. To be quarantined and disconnected from daily, in-person contact with artists and audience is disorienting for a museum that exists solely for that purpose. Yet, with our doors closed, we’re working to re-imagine the ethic and practice of a more porous museum—one that spills onto the street, engages in long-term collaborations with artists, meets audiences where they are, and serves our communities’ most urgent needs. We are working to reimagine and recommit to our role as a civically engaged institution. We know that by trusting artists, and working to expand their agency in the public realm, meaning will shine through.”

“As long as our doors are closed, you can find us outside and online. And when our doors reopen, you can continue to expect more—in, around, and beyond CAMH. For more information visit CAMH.ORG/BEYOND.”

Hesse McGraw
Executive Director