Currier Museum of Art

Currier Museum of Art is a major cultural institution located in Manchester, New Hampshire. Founded in 1929, it holds a significant collection of European and American fine and decorative arts. The museum is also renowned for its stewardship of the Zimmerman House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in New England open to the public. Its dynamic exhibitions and community programs serve as a vital arts hub for the Northeastern United States.

History

The institution was established through a bequest from Moody Currier, a former Governor of New Hampshire, and his wife Hannah Slade Currier. Its original 1929 building was designed by the noted Boston-based architectural firm T. J. O’Connell & Sons. For decades, the museum operated from this structure, steadily growing its holdings through acquisitions and gifts, including important works from the Renaissance to the modern era. A pivotal moment in its history was the 1988 acquisition of the Zimmerman House, which included its complete original collection of Herman Miller furniture. In 2008, a major expansion designed by the firm Ann Beha Architects dramatically increased gallery space and added modern amenities, transforming the museum into a leading regional arts center.

Collections

The permanent collection spans over 15,000 objects, with particular strengths in European and American painting and sculpture. Highlights include masterworks by artists such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and Winslow Homer. The museum possesses an exceptional array of John Singer Sargent portraits and significant holdings of American Impressionism. Its decorative arts collection features outstanding examples of American furniture, New England silversmithing, and European ceramics, including pieces from Meissen and Worcester porcelain. The affiliated Zimmerman House offers an immersive experience of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian design principles, complete with artwork by contemporaries like Joan Miró and Alexander Calder.

Architecture

The museum's campus is an architectural dialogue between its historic 1929 structure and the contemporary 2008 expansion. The original building is a distinguished example of Neoclassical design, featuring a symmetrical façade and grand interior spaces. The expansion by Ann Beha Architects sensitively integrates modern forms and materials, including extensive use of glass, to create light-filled galleries and a new entrance pavilion. This project received acclaim for its thoughtful connection to the existing museum and the surrounding neighborhood. The separately located Zimmerman House is a pristine example of Frank Lloyd Wright's late organic architecture, constructed from native New Hampshire brick and cypress.

Exhibitions and programs

The institution organizes a robust schedule of temporary exhibitions, ranging from historical surveys to contemporary installations, often drawn from its own collections or in partnership with major institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It hosts the prestigious New Hampshire Art Educators exhibition and has presented shows dedicated to artists such as Andrew Wyeth and Ansel Adams. Public programs include lectures by noted scholars, art conservation demonstrations, concerts, and family workshops. The museum's educational initiatives serve thousands of students annually through school tours and outreach programs across the state.

Governance and funding

The museum operates as a private, non-profit organization governed by a Board of trustees. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and receives operational support from a combination of endowment income, membership contributions, corporate sponsorships from entities like Fidelity Investments, and grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Admission revenue and facility rentals for events also contribute significantly to its annual budget, ensuring the preservation of its collections and the continuation of its public mission.

Category:Art museums in New Hampshire Category:Museums in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Category:1929 establishments in New Hampshire