For Albright-Knox Art Gallery Director Janne Siren, it's time for a listening tour as the cultural center looks to an expanded future. The director has a year-and-a-half under his belt since his appointment. Now, he's ready to talk about where the gallery should go. That could include a new building.
Siren started the listening process Monday with the first day of meetings with members. The process continues with two more community engagement sessions Tuesday. The listening then moves out to Kleinhans Music Hall November 5 and then to meetings on the East Side, in Amherst, and in West Seneca.
Siren says it took a little time to understand his own institution both in what it does and how its buildings work.
"One needs to put one's ear to the ground, learn about the community, learn about the people who constitute the community, understand the building that is the museum where one works, its nooks and crannies, its positives and negatives, where it needs help, where it's doing well. All that takes time," Siren said Monday
Siren says part of the process is making sure local residents realize the Albright-Knox is a world-class gallery. He says strong cultural institutions attract people from the entire community.
