The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at Cal State San Bernardino will celebrate International Museum Week 2021 from May 17-21.

According to the International Council of Museums, the objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness on the fact that “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”

 Schedule of Events:

  • International Museum Day: May 18
  • Emerging Artist Virtual Exhibition: May 17-21
  • Cocktails with the Collection: May 20 at 5 p.m. (RSVP)

Last month RAFFMA welcomed all artists to submit artwork to the Emerging Artist Virtual Exhibition as part of International Museum Week 2021. This serves as a chance for the museum to connect with all of their emerging artists and create a community during these times.

2021 Exhibition Theme
The year 2020 has been like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the whole world abruptly, affecting every aspect of our lives, from the interactions with our loved ones, to the way we perceive our homes and cities, to our work and its organization. Art is no exception to these changes and in some ways, we are among the most affected due to our strong dependence on social and experiential interactions. The way we make and present our art has changed; we have adapted by embracing technology to create, exhibit and/or reach new audiences. For the purpose of this virtual exhibition, we asked all emerging artists to either create or share an original work that has been made to adapt or react to this new wave of art and technology. Submissions were open to all mediums and any use of technology.

Starting May 17,  the Virtual Exhibition can be viewed at RAFFMA’s International Museum Week webpage.

Cocktails with the Collection
Thursday, May 20, 5-6 p.m.
Host: Kate Liszka, associate professor of history and the Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology

Cocktails with the Collection is a monthly event where we take attendees into the vault (virtually) and discuss objects from our collection that are not on display. The art and topics range each month but are set up to be rather informal; this allows attendees to learn more about the collection at RAFFMA. 
The Dung Beetle surprisingly inspired the scarab, one of the most important symbols in ancient Egypt. Scarabs are the ancient Egyptian symbol of creation, connected with the birth and the rebirth of the sun every morning.  This symbol was ubiquitously used in ancient Egyptian art and jewelry, both for the living and the dead. It diametrically occurs in contexts both vitally important to help the deceased pass judgment and enter the afterlife, as well as important to identify administrators conducting their daily tasks of letter writing and overseeing of storage. Come learn and discuss this diverse and dynamic symbol of the sunrise.

Register at the Cocktails with the Collection registration site.

For more information or questions, please email raffma@csusb.edu.

About RAFFMA
The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, houses a collection that includes Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art, and hosts 10-12 temporary exhibitions a year. Located at California State University, San Bernardino, RAFFMA presents one of the largest public displays of ancient Egyptian art in Southern California.

The museum offers a variety of opportunities providing valuable hands-on work experience and preparation for future museum-related careers for CSUSB students. RAFFMA is a great location for hosting corporate events, networking events, meetings, social gatherings and K-12 school field trips. During the temporary physical closure of RAFFMA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guests are invited to participate in RAFFMA @ Home!