This episode is sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte’s local bottler and the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the US. Coca-Cola Consolidated demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting veterans and military families through initiatives like the Veterans Resource Group, Hiring Our Heroes partnerships, and community engagement events, recognizing the value of their service and skills. Learn more at www.cokeconsolidated.com/BehindtheBottle.
Uptown Charlotte’s cultural block is home to three museums that opened within months of each other, helping define the city’s modern arts identity. Among them is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a compact, instantly recognizable building anchored by the mirrored “Firebird” sculpture — one of the most photographed artworks in North Carolina. Inside, the museum holds a world-class collection of European and American modernism, much of it acquired by the Swiss Bechtler family through personal relationships with artists.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Steve Dunn talks with Todd D. Smith, executive director of the Bechtler, about how the museum fits into Charlotte’s artistic ecosystem, its partnership with neighbors like the Mint and the Gantt, and why modern art still matters in a world overflowing with images. Smith also discusses the museum’s recent work to make art more accessible — from therapeutic “art on prescription” programs to collaborations with visually impaired artists that reimagine how we experience texture, sound and space.
In this conversation:
The story of the Bechtler collection — and how it came to Charlotte
What distinguishes modern art from contemporary art
How the Bechtler, Mint and Gantt collaborate (and compete)
Why the museum’s design intentionally creates a sense of stillness and escape
The rise of Instagrammable art and how artists respond to technology
A program where health care providers prescribe museum visits to combat loneliness
An exhibition inviting visually impaired artists to reinterpret works through sound and movement
What’s ahead: bringing global exhibitions to Charlotte and telling “global stories locally”
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Todd Smith. For more information on the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, visit Bechtler.org.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
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