Dear Friends,

In my first six months as Executive Director, I’ve seen and experienced the commitment and passion for a much loved and highly respected institution. We truly have a brilliant future – one of vibrancy and relevance.

Yet while we look forward, it’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed since the early days of shared space in the State Visitor Center.  And now here we are, working with the community envisioning how we expand and enhance our presence on Dover’s Historic Green.  What a fitting way to begin this landmark Anniversary year.  

The Biggs will continue to focus on providing access to the arts through our diverse education initiatives, public programs, and exciting roster of special exhibitions. We'll be accelerating our acquisition strategy that has put a thoughtful lens on expanding our collection to reflect a broader and more comprehensive representation of American Art. In fact, over the next few months our galleries will be adorned with some exciting new acquisitions by a diverse group of artists. Some are quite established and known for their work, while others are up and coming Delaware artists celebrating the first of what will undoubtedly be many museum purchases.  

You all have given so much to us, what better time than the occasion of our 30th anniversary, to give back to you.  We will be increasing the number of free admission days this year to foster inclusivity and lessen barriers to participation.  We are already known for our free first Saturdays, but we kicked off 2023 with the “Biggs Weekend” expanding free admission to include the first Sunday and introducing Spanish Language Family Programming. We’ve got plans in store for enhancements to our membership programs, as well.

Monday, January 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Biggs will be open 11:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. and free to the public. Ryan Grover, our former curator and now Director of the Wilmington’s Rockwood Museum and Park, will be returning to the Biggs to present his research on enslaved tradespeople who were the true makers of many works credited to cabinet maker John Janvier.  Ryan’s talk entitled “Where Credit is Due” will take place at 2 p.m.

In addition, to honor Dr. King's spirit of community, we’ll be hosting a coat and blanket drive through the end of January to benefit Code Purple. If you’d like to contribute, simply bring in new or gently used Coats and Blankets and deposit them in the receptacle in the museum’s entrance atrium.

This past November, we began conducting Community Listening Sessions to gather feedback to enhance the visitor experience and transform our physical space as we progress with expansion on The Green. Thanks to the hundreds of you who have already provided feedback through in-person meetings and online surveys. There is still time for more.  If you’ve not yet participated, we will be holding a community listening session via Zoom on Thursday, February 9, from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.  It’s highly interactive and a chance to help shape our next 30 years!  Register here: Online Community Listening Session

This “Director’s Letter” is the first of what will be a monthly communication from me to you about current and future happenings at the Biggs.  I’d welcome your feedback. You can reach me at [email protected].

In closing, I offer my sincere wish for a happy, healthy 2023 and thank you once again for being part of the Biggs community. Whatever your resolutions for the new year, I hope you’ll make time for art in your life.