Institute for the Study of American Art in China, School of Arts, on the campus of Nanjing University, China
IN THE YEARS BEFORE RICK’S PASSING, one of his most treasured projects was the establishment of ISAAC—the Institute for the Study of American Art in China. His passion inspired all who got close to the project. Here, for the first time, was a program that would bring the breath of American creativity to the Chinese people. The main association existed between the University of Texas at Dallas, EODIAH and the University of Nanjing. Both the Terra Foundation and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art served as supporting partners in the three-year pilot program.
None of us (except Rick and his visionary intuition) could have imagined the success of the pilot program and the decision of Nanjing University administrators to convert the Pearl S. Buck House on their campus to the ISAAC headquarters. One of Rick’s last wishes—a dream really—was to bring a world-class library of American art to the ISAAC headquarters.
This library would significantly enhance the current achievements related to ISAAC curriculum, publications and academic programs. Before his death, Rick identified a library of approximately 10,000 volumes that had been compiled over a career by the art historian, William H. Gerdts. Professor Gerdts was an American art historian and former Professor of Art History at CUNY Graduate Center, where he taught a generation of Americanists who have literally defined the field.
The Gerdts library is legendary in the field of American art; it will instantly be the most important resource for the study of American art in China and ISAAC will make an ideal home. Today, following in Rick’s footsteps, we are ardently looking for funds to purchase this library. Nanjing has agreed to pay for its transport and half of its cost. The other half will come from our efforts and those of ISAAC’s American partners.
Andrew Walker, Director, The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas
Pierrette Lacour, Program Coordinator, The Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History, Dallas, Texas