When trying to understand how global a collection is, it is not enough to look simply at what was acquired. CMOA’s mission statement asserts that the museum “collects, preserves, and presents artworks from around the world,” specifically to “inspire, sustain, and provoke discussion, and to engage and reflect multiple audiences.” Their mission recognizes the importance of visitor engagement with art, which is only possible if the artwork is actually on view. It is important, then, to evaluate which pieces are on view, and in turn, which nationalities are represented.

Generally speaking, the vast majority of their contemporary art collection is not on view. Of their 4,869 artworks, only 133 are on view, or 2.7%.

Click here for details on how this visualization was created.

Of the 133 pieces that are on view, 93 of them are American, followed by 10 German artworks and 9 British artworks. Interestingly, despite their greater holdings in Japanese artworks (see Mapping Artists for a full breakdown of holdings by nationality), only one of these pieces is on view. Greater holdings thus does not always equate greater visibility. Overall, the representation is overwhelmingly American.

Click here for details on how this visualization was created.

In addition exploring their permanent collection, CMOA’s exhibitions provide an opportunity to explore what art they choose to highlight, and what can be seen by the public. Of the twelve exhibitions held since 2016, nine of them featured exclusively American artists. The remaining three featured a Brazilian artist, German and American artists, and the final featured many artists from Austria, the Bahamas, Cameroon, Cherokee Nation, Colombia, England, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Navajo Nation, Nigeria, Nonuya Nation, Pakistan, Palestine, Scotland, Senegal, Switzerland, the United States, and Vietnam. While there was some international representation, generally speaking the exhibitions overwhelmingly feature American artists.