Newfields

Newfields. A 152-acre campus in Indianapolis that serves as the home of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and the historic Oldfields estate. This multidisciplinary institution combines art, nature, and historic preservation, offering a diverse array of collections, exhibitions, and programs. Its mission is to enrich lives through exceptional experiences with art and nature, positioning it as a significant cultural destination in the Midwestern United States.

History

The institution's origins trace to the 1883 founding of the Art Association of Indianapolis by a group of local citizens including May Wright Sewall and John Herron. The association opened the John Herron Art Institute in 1906, which later evolved into the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The museum moved to its current campus at Crown Hill in 1970, acquiring the adjacent Oldfields estate, the former home of Hugh McKennan Landon. A major transformation occurred in 2017 when the campus was rebranded as Newfields to reflect its broader identity beyond the museum. Key figures in its development have included directors such as Wilbur D. Peat and Maxwell L. Anderson, under whose tenure the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park opened in 2010.

Campus and facilities

The expansive grounds encompass several distinct areas, including the main museum building designed by architects Edward Larrabee Barnes and Roche-Dinkeloo, which houses galleries, an auditorium, and a research library. The Oldfields mansion, a National Historic Landmark built in the American Country Place Era style, and its surrounding gardens designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen offer a historic counterpoint. The 100-acre Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park features large-scale contemporary art installations within a natural setting of woodlands, wetlands, and a 35-acre lake. Additional facilities include the Toby Theatre, the Lilly Pavilion for decorative arts, and the Garden on the Green for seasonal displays.

Collections and exhibitions

The Indianapolis Museum of Art's holdings comprise over 54,000 works spanning 5,000 years, with notable strengths in Neo-Impressionist paintings, Japanese art, and modern design. The collection includes significant pieces by artists such as J.M.W. Turner, Paula Modersohn-Becker, and Theodore Géricault, as well as one of the largest public holdings of works by J.M.W. Turner. The textile arts collection is internationally renowned. The exhibition program features major traveling shows alongside presentations from the permanent collection, often focusing on themes like contemporary art, African art, and European painting. Recent exhibitions have highlighted artists including Georgia O'Keeffe, Kehinde Wiley, and Yayoi Kusama.

Programs and events

A wide range of educational and public initiatives engage diverse audiences, including lectures, conservation workshops, and family-friendly activities. Signature annual events draw large crowds, such as the Winterlights holiday festival, the Summer Nights film series, and the Penrod Arts Fair. The institution offers studio art classes, art history courses, and guided tours of the collections and gardens. Community outreach programs partner with local schools and organizations like the Indiana University and the Indianapolis Public Library. The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park also hosts performances and artist residencies, fostering dialogue between art, nature, and the public.

Governance and funding

Newfields operates as a private nonprofit organization governed by a board of trustees composed of community and business leaders. Day-to-day management is led by President and CEO Colette Pierce Burnette. Funding is derived from a combination of endowment income, membership dues, ticket revenue, private donations, and grants from entities such as the Lilly Endowment and the National Endowment for the Arts. The institution's endowment, one of the largest among American art museums, has historically been supported by prominent Indianapolis families including the Lilly family and the Fairbanks family. Strategic planning and major initiatives are overseen by the board in collaboration with the senior leadership team.

Category:Art museums in Indiana Category:Botanical gardens in Indiana Category:Museums established in 1883