Chazen Museum of Art

Chazen Museum of Art is a major university art museum and a prominent cultural institution within the Midwestern United States. Located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, its mission is to support the academic and research goals of the university while serving the public. The museum's extensive permanent collection spans global art history from antiquity to the present, with particular strengths in European art, Japanese prints, and contemporary works. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and offers free admission to all visitors.

History

The museum originated in 1970 as the **Elvehjem Museum of Art**, named for its principal benefactor, Conrad A. Elvehjem, a former president of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Its founding collection was built from university holdings, including significant gifts from alumni and patrons like the Kohler Foundation. A major expansion and renovation project, completed in 2011, was made possible by a transformative gift from alumni Simona and Jerome Chazen, founder of Chico's FAS, leading to the institution's renaming. This growth coincided with the museum's increasing role in the Madison arts community and its integration into the Big Ten Academic Alliance museum consortium.

Collections

The permanent collection comprises over 23,000 works, offering a comprehensive survey of artistic achievement across cultures and centuries. Notable strengths include Old Master paintings and drawings, with works by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Eugène Delacroix, and Honoré Daumier. The collection of Japanese woodblock prints is internationally recognized, featuring masters like Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. Other significant areas encompass Ancient Greek art, Renaissance medals, Russian icons, and modern works by figures like Georgia O'Keeffe, Hans Hofmann, and Joan Miró. The museum also holds substantial holdings in photography, decorative arts, and contemporary sculpture.

Building and architecture

The museum complex consists of two interconnected buildings on the shore of Lake Mendota. The original 1970 structure, designed by the Milwaukee firm Harry Weese & Associates, is a modernist, concrete building. The 2011 expansion, designed by **Machado Silvetti Associates** of Boston, added 86,000 square feet, including new gallery spaces, a theater, a print study room, and a dramatic glass-enclosed lobby. The two buildings are joined by a soaring, light-filled atrium and a pedestrian bridge, creating a dialogue between architectural styles. The site also features an outdoor sculpture garden with works by artists including Mark di Suvero and Ursula von Rydingsvard.

Exhibitions and programs

The museum presents a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions drawn from its holdings and organized in collaboration with institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Recent exhibitions have explored themes ranging from German Expressionism to contemporary video art. Academic and public programs are central to its mission, including lectures by scholars like Robert Storr, artist talks, film series, and family workshops. It actively collaborates with university departments such as the Department of Art History and the Center for Visual Cultures, and its **Kohler Art Library** is one of the largest art libraries in a North American museum.

Governance and funding

The museum operates as an integral unit of the **University of Wisconsin–Madison**, under the governance of the **University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents**. Day-to-day operations are overseen by a director, with policy guidance from an advisory council comprising university faculty, community leaders, and arts professionals. Primary funding sources include state appropriations through the university, private donations from individuals and foundations like the **Chazen Foundation** and the **Britten Family Foundation**, and grants from organizations such as the **National Endowment for the Arts** and the **Institute of Museum and Library Services**. Membership support through the **Chazen Museum of Art Council** is also vital to its operations. Category:Art museums in Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison Category:Museums established in 1970 Category:1970 establishments in Wisconsin