Fresh Film Series- Frame to Frame:

Where Film Meets Art

About

The Fresh Film Series at Peoria Riverfront Museum featured film screenings accompanied by introductory discussions that explored connections between the films and artworks on view. Writer and critic Carlos Valladares served as the guest curator, thoughtfully pairing films with pieces from the "FRESH: New Directions in Contemporary Art" exhibition. During a dedicated film festival weekend, Valladares engaged with the community, offering commentary on selected films and delivering a lecture on the parallel evolution of contemporary film and art. A printed booklet, which outlined the lineup of films and their artistic connections, was made available at the museum.

Intended Outcome

Peoria Riverfront Museum hoped to attract600 visitors with this activity; use music, film, and performance to help them better engage with visual contemporary art; and reach younger audiences of people in the age range of 20 to 40.

Actual Outcome

The museum reached 532 visitors (primarily college students) with this activity. To a follow-up survey, 72% of respondents stated that the program helped provide them with a better understanding and appreciation of the pieces in the FRESH exhibition.

Advice Post Project

For museums that want to connect art with film, consider partnering with a guest curator who has a strong voice and deep knowledge of both film and contemporary art. This person’s vision will shape the series and create meaningful connections between mediums. The museum may want to design the program to include interactive elements, such as live discussions, which would invite the public to directly engage with the curator and the exhibition’s themes. Offering printed materials that explain certain curatorial choices and highlight connections between film and art can deepen an audience’s understanding.