The University of Idaho’s Prichard Art Gallery, part of Moscow’s downtown community since 1986, will see a shift in management beginning this month.
The gallery, known for showcasing outside exhibits from regional contemporary artists, will focus on student and faculty work instead. In addition, the university did not renew their contract with Director Roger Rowley, who held the position for 15 years.
The gallery has new hours and will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, cutting Tuesday and Wednesday. Positions such as assistant director and director were given back to the university and two part-time positions were offered instead. Former Assistant Director Sonja Foard has accepted a part-time position, but Rowley shows no interest.
When given a chance to have a part at the gallery, Rowley said he didn’t want to operate in a diminished capacity. Without plans to build its presence in the future, Rowley fears the gallery will lose momentum that will be difficult to get back.
Ultimately, these decisions were made due to a lack of funding.
“We were working on plans to create the opportunity to continue to exist,” Rowley said. “We had given presentations to different administrators, talked about different options and how to possibly secure funding.”
Facing budget cuts, university leadership made the decision to reduce the budget at the gallery, Art and Architecture Dean Shauna Corry said. It was not the choice of the college.
The Prichard is not going anywhere, only the positions are going, Corry said. It will still be a gallery, but it may look different.
“It wasn’t the choice of the college but it was necessary based on budget cuts,” Rowley said. “The college was not responsible for putting the university in debt, but it’s being held responsible for reducing the gallery.”
As early as spring 2020, the gallery was informed it would lose funding and changes would be made.
“With a deficit in funding, the university cannot support two full time positions and are offering part-time positions instead,” Rowley said. “Obviously those plans don’t include me as a full-time employee.”
Rowley said he wasn’t fired, nor did he quit, he just wasn’t part of the Prichard’s future plans.
Because of the pandemic, scheduled shows have been canceled and the schedule for the gallery has changed. The Prichard will still have their faculty show, beginning in January and lasting until April. They will also have the reoccurring MFA show beginning in April and lasting until the end of the academic semester, going into the summer.
There are also plans to bring back former faculty members who were “highly regarded” and do an show to highlight the Prichard itself, Corry said.
According to Rowley, the Prichard is a unique gallery which many universities would be envious of.
“It’s been a pleasure and an honor to have been able to do so many things at the Prichard,” Rowley said.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to provide clarity.