Through talks, symposia, performances and other events, Herron's public programming offers encounters with world-renowned artists while serving as a catalyst for discussions about timely issues related to contemporary art and culture. All talks are free and open to the public.
See our past talksEngage in dialogue with art and culture
Upcoming talks
Sanford Wurmfeld
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, 5:30 p.m.
Basile Auditorium
Eskenazi Hall
Presented in conjunction with the opening of his exhibition at Herron, Sanford Wurmfeld examines his practice rooted in a singular exploration of color theory and his E-Cyclorama II interactive installation.
Kathryn Polk
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, 5:30 p.m.
Basile Auditorium
Eskenazi Hall
Artist-printmaker Kathryn Polk discusses her narrative-based work informed by her experiences growing up as a woman in the American south during the 1950s and 1960s.
Paula Scher
The Jane Fortune Outstanding Women Visiting Artist Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, 5:30 p.m.
Basile Auditorium
Eskenazi Hall
Paula Scher, one of the most influential graphic designers working today, shares insights she has made as a graphic designer, an environmental designer, and a painter, and how one discipline informs another, with painting serving as an antidote to both.
Endowed artist talks
Included in the Galleries events taking place throughout the year are four endowed talks annually.
Christel DeHaan Family Foundation Visiting Artist Lecture
The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation Visiting Artist Lecture brings prominent contemporary artists to come to Herron to present their work and ideas.
Kerry Dinneen & Sam Sutphin Visiting Artist Fund
Established through the generosity of Kerry Dinneen & Sam Sutphin, this lecture series supports a visiting artist or scholar who engages with students in the classroom or studio and provides a public lecture.
The Jane Fortune Outstanding Women Visiting Artist Lecture
“I want to make an impact on the community that surrounds me and help make the arts accessible to our residents,” said Jane Fortune when she established this series to bring internationally acclaimed female artists to Herron.
The Annual Jordan H. and Joan R. Leibman Forum on the Legal and Business Environment of Art
The Leibman Lecture is a joint program of Herron School of Art and Design, Kelley School of Business, and Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI. Blend the visual arts, business, and law, past Leibman forum topics have ranged from the documentary The Art of The Steal to a presentation by the U.S. Department of Treasury on engraving practices.
Phillip Tennant Furniture Artisan Lecture
Established in honor of the founding instructor of Herron’s Furniture Design Program, Professor Phillip Tennant and through the generosity of James W. and Nancy C. Smith, this lecture series supports a visiting artist or scholar from the fields of furniture design, fabrication, or a closely related field.
Clockwise from top: Cynthia Daignault, Tom Sachs, and Wayne White.
Past guest speakers
- Tom Sachs
- María Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Eleanor Antin
- Faith Ringgold
- Judy Chicago
- Jon Kolko
- Diane Simpson
- Bastian Muhr
- Cynthia Daignault
- Wayne White
- Deborah Butterfield
- Chip Kidd