CISM (Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Museums) was founded in 1998 by Richard Brettell, Professor of Aesthetic Studies at UTD and former director of the Dallas Museum of Art. CISM trains graduate students in the cultural politics of display and the history of museums. Its courses are taught by Dr. Brettell and a series of visiting scholars and museum professionals brought to campus through a continuing grant from the Felix and Elizabeth Rohatyn Foundation of New York. This select group has included the Marxist-Feminist critic of the art museum, Professor Griselda Pollock, Professor Michael Zimmermann of the Central Institute for the History of Art in Munich, Prof. Yve-Alain Bois of Harvard University, and Professor Stephen Eisenman of Northwestern University. CISM has offices at UTD and is affiliated with most of the museums of north Texas. Jeff West, Executive Director of the Sixth Floor Museum, is a regular fellow of CISM and Dr. Ted Pillsbury, former director of the Kimbell Art Museum, is a member of the advisory board.

For inquiries related to CISM, contact Pierrette Lacour at 972-883-2475 or Professor Brettell at brettell@utdallas.edu