About

The mission of the Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery is to enhance the academic offerings of Reed College with a diverse range of scholarly exhibitions, lectures, and colloquia in its role as an academic teaching museum, and the professional steward of the Reed College Art Collection. 

The Cooley was established by a generous 1988 gift from Sue and Edward Cooley and John and Betty Gray "in support of the teaching of art history at Reed College, as part of an interdisciplinary educational experience that strengthens the art history component of Reed's distinctive humanities program." Over the last three decades, the Cooley's mission has expanded to include: supporting Reed's Studio Art program; working with local K-12 public schools; and reintroducing the study of Italic calligraphy to Reed through the Cooley's Calligraphy Initiative in Honor of Lloyd J. Reynolds—established in 2011.

Cooley exhibitions are organized by curator and director Stephanie Snyder (2003–present), often in collaboration with Reed faculty, and occasionally with guest curators. The Cooley also seeks to support the needs and interests of the larger Portland and Northwest arts communities. A schedule of two to three exhibitions during the academic year brings to Reed and the community, work that would not otherwise be seen in the region.