Myron Kunin: A Tribute

While the Walker prepares to host a dialogue with director Steve McQueen as part of the Dialogues and Film Retrospectives series, it also marks the passing of one of the series’ greatest patrons. Myron Kunin, founder of Regis Corp., died last week, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of contribution to art in the Twin Cities. In addition to funding the Walker’s film dialogue and retrospective series for almost two decades, Kunin served as a board chairman and life trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), sponsored the Northern Clay Center, and helped fund the University of Minnesota’s Regis Center for the Arts. An avid collector, he also amassed a notable collection of early 20^th century American art, including paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, Stuart Davis, and Andrew Wyeth. Two hundred and thirty artworks from Kunin’s collection are included in his gifts to the MIA.

A conversation between Clint Eastwood and Richard Schickel launched the Walker’s Dialogues and Film Retrospective series in 1990, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Kunin’s Regis Foundation took over funding in 1994, and Kunin has sponsored the series up to the present. Thanks to 19 years of generous support from Kunin and his wife, Anita, the Walker has presented conversations with over forty directors, artists, auteurs, and screen actors, including Claire Denis, Ang Lee, Béla Tarr, and Matthew Barney. The series has provided a space for some of the leading filmmakers of our time to discuss their creative processes, influences, and works as well as premiering and previewing dozens of contemporary films. Most recently, the Walker hosted the regional premier of Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, and the accompanying dialogue between McQueen and MoMA curator Stuart Comer will be held on November 9. “Appreciation of Myron’s longstanding support of this dialogue series, which allowed us to share the world’s greatest filmmakers with our community for nearly 20 years, is deeply felt by all of us,” said Sheryl Mousley, the Walker’s senior curator of film and video.

Kunin’s support for film at the Walker and for the broader Twin Cities arts community has made a profound impact on both institutions and individuals. In the words of the Walker’s executive director Olga Viso, “Mike was fiercely passionate about collecting as well as the power of film to communicate and we will miss that energy and faith here at the Walker.” We extend our condolences to Anita, the entire Kunin family, and their friends. Myron Kunin will be deeply missed.