Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum

This exhibition proposes re-framing American folk art through the concept of “self-taught genius,” as an elastic and enduring notion whose meaning has evolved over time. The exhibition curators have selected more than 100 artworks from the permanent collection of the American Folk Art Museum (New York, NY), produced in a wide range of media from the eighteenth century until the present day. Each artwork belongs to one of seven primary themes by which the exhibition is organized: Achievers, Encoders, Messengers, Improvement, Reformers, Ingenuity, and Guides. The exhibition is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated catalogue, impressive website, and multiple educational resources.